West Ham United sign Bolton Wanderers winger Matthew Taylor

Taylor joins new arrivals Kevin Nolan and Abdoulaye Faye at the Boleyn Ground after three and a half years at the Reebok.

Speaking after he had signed for the Hammers, Taylor told the club’s official website that he was thrilled to be joining a big club and that he was looking forward to working under Sam Allardyce, although hopefully for only one season in the Championship.

“This is a great opportunity to come and play for a fantastic football club,” he said.

“This is a big club with a lot of heritage. It is a new challenge for me and obviously I want to be part of something special and, from the outset, it looks like I will find that here.

“I see this as a very positive move for me. I don’t expect to be playing Championship football for more than one season if I am being totally honest. I just want to get stuck in and start playing. I think it’s going to be a great season.”

On the prospect of playing under Allardyce he added: “I have had good conversations with the gaffer, he is such a positive person. I think you can already see the aura around the place and the quality of players he has brought in to add to the players already here.”