Portsmouth's Tal Ben Haim joins West Ham on loan deal
Ben Haim began his career with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2000
Portsmouth's Israeli centre-back Tal Ben Haim has joined West Ham on a five-month loan deal.
The 28-year-old defender is former Fratton Park manager Avram Grant's fourth new signing at Upton Park.
West Ham say they are also close to signing an unnamed young international who played in the 2010 World Cup.
Ben Haim, who has also played for Chelsea, Sunderland and Bolton, made 24 appearances for Pompey last season after arriving from Manchester City.
The Israeli international missed two months of last season with a groin injury but returned in May to play in Portsmouth's final match of the season, a 1-0 defeat at Everton.
He started his professional career at Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2000 and arrived in the Premier League in 2004, signing for Sam Allardyce at Bolton
Ben Haim joined Jose Mourinho's Chelsea on a free in June 2007 but a lack of first-team chances led to him moving to Manchester City in 2008 on a four-year deal.
After playing a part in Manchester City's Uefa Cup campaign in 2008, Ben Haim ended the season on loan at Sunderland before joining Portsmouth in September 2009.
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