Cheltenham manager Bobby Gould has broken the club's transfer record to sign Grant McCann from West Ham for �50,000.

The Northern Ireland international is Gould's first signing since becoming Cheltenham manager with McCann joining on a two-and-a-half year deal.

"We have agreed a �50,000 transfer fee with West Ham which has been funded by input from directors and the club's run in the FA Cup," chairman Paul Baker told the club's website.

"The transfer will not jeapordise the future financial viability of the club.

"This will not necessarily be the last money we spend on players this season and there is still a small amount in the transfer fund.

"We are still looking to strengthen the squad although we anticipate the vast majority of forthcoming business to be free transfers or loan agreements."

McCann has had two loan spells at Whaddon Road.

He made his international debut in October 2001, coming on as substitute in the World Cup qualifier away to Malta.

"I have no doubt that we can get out of the bottom four and it is really a matter of putting a couple of wins together," said McCann.

Cheltenham are bottom of Divison Two, four points away from safety.