West Ham have completed the £5million signing of Switzerland international Valon Behrami from Lazio.

The 23-year-old can play at right-back or in midfield and has signed a five-year deal with the Barclays Premier League club after passing a medical.

Behrami, who has 15 caps, played in all three of his country's matches at Euro 2008 and was a regular for Lazio, playing for the Rome side in last year's Champions League.

Behrami told West Ham's official website: "It's my dream come true to play for West Ham and play in the Premier League.

"At last I am able to sign. After the Euro 2008 Championship I spoke to West Ham who had expressed an interest but I had to be sure it was the right thing for everybody.

"I have now made my decision and am looking forward to being part of this side and playing in the English league."

West Ham insist the signing of Behrami underlines their commitment to challenging for a place among the Barclays Premier League's elite.

They stressed that remains the case despite reports suggesting manager Alan Curbishley must trim his expensive playing staff.

Behrami's arrival comes a week after striker Bobby Zamora and defender John Pantsil were sold for a combined £6.3million fee to Fulham.

But chief executive Scott Duxbury stated that the signing of Behrami shows the club remain focused on improving the existing team.

Duxbury said: "Valon will be a valuable addition as we aim for a successful season ahead. We beat off a lot of competition from other clubs to sign him and it indicates the club's positive ambitions.

"Contrary to some reports we are fully committed to strengthening the playing staff."

VALON BEHRAMI FACTFILE

1985: Born in Mitrovica, Kosovo April 19.

1989: Moves from war-torn Kosovo to Switzerland at the age of four.

2002: March - signs for Swiss side FC Lugano after short spells with FC Stabio and FC Chiasso.

2003: July - Udinese and Genoa jointly sign Behrami.

2004: Plays season as attacking full-back for Genoa, making 24 appearances, 16 of them as substitute.

July - Genoa buy out the rest of Behrami's contract before loaning him out to Verona where he scores three times in 32 appearances.

2005: July - Dubbed 'The Swiss David Beckham', Behrami makes the move to Lazio, signing a four-year contract with the Italian giants.

August 25 - Makes first appearance for Lazio in their 1-0 home win against Messina in the Stadio Olimpico.

October: Comes off the bench to make international debut in a World Cup qualifier against France.

November 12 - Scores to help Switzerland to a 2-0 victory over Turkey in the first leg of his country's World Cup qualifying play-off.

2006: February 19 - Scores first goal for the Biancocelesti in 2-1 over Fiorentina.

2007: August 14 - Behrami's Champions League debut ends in controversy as he is sent off in Lazio's 1-1 third-round qualifying match against Dynamo Bucharest.

2008: February 6 - Makes a second-half substitute against England in Fabio Capello's first match in charge of England.

March 19 - scores 93rd minute goal in Rome derby to give Lazio a 3-2 victory and dent Roma's Serie A title hopes.

June 7 - Makes first of three appearances for Switzerland in Euro 2008.

July - Threatens to use the 'Webster Clause' and buy out the remainder of his contract as he reveals he is intent on a move to England. Reports link the full-back with a move to Tottenham or West Ham.

July 23 - West Ham sign Behrami for £5million.

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