West Ham Agree Loan Deal for Shakhtar Donestsk Goalkeeper Lastuvka

West Ham have signed the Czech goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka on a season-long loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, according to the Ukrainian club.

The 26-year-old former Under-21 international successfully completed a medical over the weekend and will provide back-up to current Hammers No1 Robert Green. "I'm glad it's turned out like this," Lastuvka told CTK. "I am looking forward to playing for West Ham and I'll do my best to repay their faith in me."

Lastuvka spent the 2006-07 campaign on loan at Fulham where he played 12 games for the Cottagers. After failing to impress the then-Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez, Lastuvka returned to Shakhtar where he was once again loaned out, this time to Bochum in Germany's Bundesliga.

Lastuvka is relishing the opportunity of working with fellow countryman Ludek Miklosko, who is the goalkeeper coach at Upton Park. "It's a big plus," he added. "I think the co-operation with him can help me a lot in improving my skills."