The 33-year-old, who has signed for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year deal, would have been out of contract with the Cottagers in the summer.

Roeder revealed he has earmarked him to be Nigel Winterburn’s stand-in when he has a wrist operation next week – and the 39-year-old’s permanent replacement when he retires in the summer.

The Hammers chief is now racing the clock to beat the midnight cut-off for transfers, with a deal for Arsenal midfielder David Noble nearing completion.

The Gunners reserve, who joined the Highbury youth set-up at age nine, has been unable to gain a place in Arsene Wenger’s first team and has been training with Roeder’s men all week.

Noble, who turns 21 on Sunday, impressed in the reserves’ friendly draw with Reading on Wednesday and Roeder says he has been “freed” by Arsenal.

“We’re hoping to take David Noble before 12 midnight,” he said. “Arsenal have freed him and we’d like to take up the option of bringing him here.

“We moved Grant McCann on to Cheltenham this week and that created a space for a young midfielder.”

Roeder added, on whufc.co.uk: “He’s highly-rated but it’s very difficult for any young player to break into Arsenal’s first team.

“We’re pleased with what he’s shown us. We feel he has a lot of ability and we hope to put together a deal which is suitable for him and us.”

Roeder, who before today had signed Leeds midfielder Lee Bowyer and Tottenham forward Les Ferdinand this month, confirmed two more deals which are definitely off – moves for Sunderland’s

Michael Gray and Panathanaikos’ Leonidas Vokolos.

Roeder disclosed a swap deal for Black Cats defender Gray, 28, involving Don Hutchison returning to his former club, never reached an advanced stage.

“There was some truth in the Gray story,” he conceded. “But it never really got off the ground and grew legs.”

Greek international centre-back Vokolos, 32, has been training alongside Noble at the Hammers’ Chadwell Heath HQ near Romford.

Roeder, who discussed a move with Vokolos’ agent yesterday, said: “There were a few reasons why we decided not to make a move.”

But Brevett has joined, passing his medical and signing a deal lasting until summer 2005 – just three months shy of his 36th birthday.

Revealing his plan to hand Winterburn’s shirt to Brevett, Roeder added:

“Nigel has been playing with a fractured wrist for seven or eight weeks.

“He had it scanned and a piece of bone has come away from his wrist, so he’ll have an operation to have it screwed next week which will keep him out for a month.

“That’s a reason for getting Rufus on board – and also, we’ve known for a good few months that Nigel will retire at the end of the season, something he’s said himself.

“We knew Brevett would be out of contract in the summer and he’s been one of two or three players we’ve been watching on a regular basis.

“About 24 or 36 hours ago, we were told there was the possibility of getting him in this transfer window – so we decided not to wait and took him now instead.

“The two clubs spoke and decided it would be an undisclosed fee.

“Rufus has put in some tremendous performances for Fulham both this year and last year.

“He’s the sort of character I like – and I like his style of play, with energy, drive and the desire to get forward at the right time.”

A Fulham statement read: “We would like to thank Rufus for his loyal service and wish him the best of luck for the future.”

Brevett’s move ends his five-year stay at Fulham, which started when Kevin Keegan signed him from their west London neighbours QPR in a £350,000 deal in January 1998.

He starred in the Cottagers side which won promotion to the Premiership in May 2001 and last season saw off the challenge of Jon Harley, a £3.5million arrival from Chelsea.

Brevett’s departure throws Harley, recently loaned out to First Division Sheffield United, a lifeline in his fight for a first-team place.

Brevett is set to make his Hammers debut against Liverpool if Winterburn fails a fitness test tomorrow.

Winterburn played in Wednesday’s 2-1 success against Blackburn, but was snowed in at home today and unable to reach West Ham’s training ground.

He must prove to Roeder he can manage his second game in four days.

Steve Lomas serves a one-match suspension against the Reds, dating from his red card at Arsenal.

Roeder must decide whether to keep faith with 18-year-old defender Glen Johnson or to hand a recall to Sebastien Schemmel.