The work permit application was considered a formality because Benayoun is an established international midfielder and West Ham boss Alan Pardew hopes he will inject some creativity into the Hammers’ midfield.

“He’s a player with flair, who will be able to open the door for us when teams sit deep. We needed a player like that and at 25 years old he is a great signing for the club,” Pardew said after Benayoun had agreed to the move.

Benayoun arrived in the Primera Liga from Maccabi Haifa in 2003 and played 35 league games for Santander last season, finishing top scorer with nine league goals.

Nicknamed ’The Diamond’, Everton and Bolton had also shown an interest in the playmaker.

But Pardew was determined to land a midfielder who can unlock doors for West Ham in the Premiership in the way Eyal Berkovic, Joe Cole and Paolo di Canio have done in the past.

“I know other clubs were interested in me, but I was very impressed when I met the people at West Ham. I also think my qualities will suit their style of play,” Benayoun said.

Pardew is still in the market for new players – a striker in particular - before the Barclays Premiership season begins.

He lost out to Liverpool in the hunt for England striker Peter Crouch but has been linked with Milan Baros, who is seemingly out of favour at Anfield.

Baros is not involved in Liverpool’s Champions League qualifying tie against Total Network Solutions this evening.

The Czech striker’s agent, Pavel Paska, will hold talks with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez in the coming days to thrash out whether Baros has a future at the club.