Emanuel Pogatetz is relishing the chance to help West Ham during the after half of the season, after joining on loan from Wolfsburg.

The Austrian, who previously played for Middlesbrough, has been drafted in by Hammers boss Sam Allardyce to strengthen his defensive unit.

Injuries to key members of his backline have revealed a lack of depth in the Upton Park-based outfit’s squad, particularly in the left-back position.

A number of names, such as Stephen Warnock and Martin Olsson, have been linked with moves to East London, but Allardyce has finally settled on Pogatetz.

The 30-year-old is equally adept at centre-back or left full-back, and should ease the burden on some of the club’s current defensive members.

Pogatetz, who has the nickname ‘mad dog’, is delighted to have joined West Ham, and is looking forward to the rest of the season:

"I feel very good to be here and I am very excited about playing for West Ham," he told the club’s official website.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity to play for the club and help it get good results. I will be doing my best to play well and hope I can play a part in the club achieving the targets for this season.

"First of all when I heard that West Ham wanted me, I thought it was a club I wanted to play for because they are a very traditional club, with passionate supporters.”

Having spent five seasons in England with Middlesbrough, Pogatetz is also happy to be returning to the Premier League:

“It was good for to have the opportunity to come back and play in England. This is the football I want to play and I have missed playing here, I want to show what I am still capable of after five years playing in Middlesbrough."

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