West Ham have confirmed the signing of free agent Samir Nasri after the former Arsenal and Manchester City star’s doping ban came to an end.
The 31-year-old midfielder has signed an initial deal until the end of the season with the option to extend.
Nasri was given an 18-month doping ban for using an intravenous drip treatment and has been without a club since January 31 after leaving Turkish side Antalyaspor.
However, the two-time Premier League winner is available to play again from January 1 2019, as his ban ends today.
“Coming back to the most competitive league in the world, with a team full of ambition with a manager that I know…. it’s the best job in the world, and I’m really excited about it,” Nasri said.
Nasri enjoyed great success with West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini during his time at Man City, and the Chilean manager is thrilled to be reunited with the midfielder.
Pellegrini said on whufc.com: “I am very pleased to welcome Samir to West Ham United.
“He is a player I obviously know well from our time together at Manchester City and I am happy to be working with him again.
“He has been working very hard here in recent weeks to build up his fitness and condition after a long period without playing, and he is now very determined to return to his best.
“Samir will give us another dimension in our attacking play. He is a very technical player, with excellent quality on the ball, and the ability to create big moments in important matches.
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“He already has very good experience of the Premier League and we hope that he will have a positive impact on the team between now and the end of the season.”