Donny get Payne in the bag

Doncaster have signed former West Ham midfielder Josh Payne on an initial six-month contract.

The 19-year-old, released by the Hammers in July, has been tracked by Rovers for some time and after impressing recently on trial, will boost a midfield depleted by injury to John Oster.

Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll said: "We've watched Josh two or three times when he was at West Ham and we just liked him."

He added: "When he was released we asked him up here to train with us. We like his attitude and feel he could be a player we could develop."

Payne, who made his West Ham debut in March 2009 and has had loan spells at Colchester and Wycombe, said: "I'm really pleased to sign for Doncaster after playing in quite a few of the pre-season games.

"There were one or two other clubs interested in me, but Doncaster were the only one I was happy to sign for as they play the type of football I like to be involved in."

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.