WEST Ham have smashed their transfer record with the £7.5million signing of Wales captain Craig Bellamy.

The forward, 28 on Friday, has signed a five-year contract with the Irons after finally completing his long-awaited move from Liverpool -held up while Bellamy negotiated a pay-off from the Merseyside giants.

Having arrived at Upton Park, the former Blackburn Rovers player immediately announced his ambition to become a key player in a high-flying Hammers team.

"I'm delighted to be here," insisted Bellamy, who has turned down the opportunity to play Champions League football next season to join Alan Curbishley's side.

"It's taken a little bit longer than I would have liked, but the main thing is that it is done and I can look forward to the challenge ahead.

"I had a lot to weigh-up and, in the end, I decided that West Ham was the best move for me.

"I wanted to make sure that, if I left Liverpool. it would be to a club that is going to be pushing for Europe.

"I want to play in Europe - it's important to me - and I felt that same drive and ambition here at West Ham."

And Bellamy claimed it was the ambition' shown by chairman Eggert Magnusson that was the major reason that he had agreed to make the move to East London.

Magnusson has spoken of turning the Irons into a European powerhouse within five years, and the Welshman has clearly bought into this plan.

"Obviously it would be naive of me to say that we are going to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season, but that's one of the things we are really going to be pushing for here in the future," said the controversial star, who has frequently hit the headlines following a series of off-the-field incidents.

"The club is looking to strengthen what is already a very good squad and West Ham are renowned for their open and attacking football, so everything is perfect for me."

With Liverpool having signed £27million Spanish international Fernando Torres, Bellamy admitted his opportunities at Anfield would have been limited.

And he also revealed that the chance to play regular first-team football had attracted him to the Boleyn Ground.

"It was important for me to start playing regular football. I could sit at Liverpool all day long picking up my money, but I'd be cheating myself," he said.

"I want to play every week, to test myself and be in the firing line. I'm 28 later this week and approaching the prime years of my career.

"I believe West Ham are going to see the best of me and I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead."

Curbishley himself is looking forward to working with the Cardiff-born striker.

"I'm really pleased to have signed Craig," says Curbs.

"He is the right age, with the right experience, and has two qualities that I really like - he is hungry and also a little bit angry.

"He is keen to prove to lots of people what he can do, having not been given much of a chance at Liverpool."

Bellamy's become Curbishley's fourth summer signing, following Scott Parker, Julien Faubert and Richard Wright.