Hammers defender makes Russian exit

Manuel da Costa has left West Ham to join Russian Premier League club Lokomotiv Moscow for an undisclosed fee.

The defender, 25, had already spoken of his wish to depart Upton Park following the club's relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

Da Costa signed for the Hammers from Fiorentina in September 2009 and made 35 appearances, scoring four goals, in his two seasons in the capital, with one year remaining on his contract.


 

West Ham's official website read: "The club, who have already signed Abdoulaye Faye and Kevin Nolan as part of a busy summer of transfer activity, would like to thank Manuel for his efforts and wish him all the best in the future."

Da Costa will link up for former team-mate Victor Obinna, who spent last season on loan with the Hammers, after he completed a switch from Inter Milan to Lokomotiv only a couple of days ago.

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