West Ham have completed the signing of forward Luis Jimenez from Inter Milan on a season-long loan, with a view to a possible permanent transfer.

The Hammers moved quickly to fend off interest from other teams for the player, who will officially join on July 1 provided he passes a medical.

Jimenez told the club's official website, www.whufc.co.uk: "I am very happy, very excited and very determined to show what I can do."

The 25-year-old Chilean, nicknamed El Mago (The Wizard) for his playmaking abilities, continued: "I am a player who loves to play football, to be in a team that keeps the ball, to create opportunities and also score goals.

"I can't promise anything but I am going to do everything possible to do a good job for the club.

"I know West Ham are a fantastic club who have had a lot of great players. I had options to join other clubs but I watched West Ham's last game of the season and I liked it a lot.

"(Manager) Gianfranco Zola was one of the things that drew me to West Ham - I can identify with the type of football he wants to play."

Jimenez has not played for his country since March 2008, meaning he did not immediately meet Football Association work permit rules.

However, Hammers chief executive Scott Duxbury led a successful delegation, including Zola, to the FA earlier this month.

Duxbury then flew to Milan to begin the negotiations last week alongside technical director Gianluca Nani, before the deal was finalised this afternoon.

He said: "I am pleased we have been able to secure the services of Luis.

"Many clubs were after him, so we have had to work quickly. We were determined to get the deal done, because Gianfranco sees him as a player that can add much to our attack next season."