West Ham have signed defender Ryan Fredericks from Fulham

Fredericks helped Fulham achieve promotion via the play-offs last season as they beat Aston Villa 1-0 in the final at Wembley.

The defender’s contract was due to expire on June 30, but rather than opting to play for the West London club in the Premier League, he has joined West Ham on a four-year deal.

The 25-year-old is Manuel Pellegrini’s first signing as West Ham manager.

"It's an exciting time for West Ham," Fredericks told the club’s website. "The club have just brought in a new manager and everyone knows his CV and what he has done."

He added: "It just felt like, for the next step of my career, I would be best suited coming here."

Fredericks was named in the Championship team of the year for 2017-18.

Pellegrini said: "Ryan has good experience, with more than 150 senior appearances already but, at 25, he is still a young player with his best years ahead of him."