Hammer Bowyer's mixed day

London-born Lee Bowyer joined up with his childhood club when he signed for West Ham from Leeds United on Wednesday, the same day he was hit with a European ban for stamping.

The 26-year-old midfielder, who has attracted more than his fair share of controversy while at the English Premiership side, then declared he would let 'my football do the talking' once he gets to Upton Park.

"I will let my football do the talking - I just want to get on with working hard," Bowyer told West Ham's website only hours after receiving word of his six-match ban by UEFA for stamping on Malaga's Gerardo during their UEFA Cup clash in December.

"I have got good experience with Leeds but I am not a world beater - I am going to try as hard as I can."

The number six was prominent throughout the day. West Ham, who Bowyer says he supported as a kid, managed to seal his signature on a six-month deal following his rejection of a new contract at Leeds.

A potential loan move last week to Birmingham also came to nothing before the Upton Park outfit stepped in for a fee believed to be about 300,000 pounds (450,000 dollars).

"It has dragged on a bit but I am here now and I can't wait to get going," said Bowyer, who won his only cap for England to date against Portugal last September.

"There were a few clubs that came in but West Ham were the most appealing to me. They are the team I support and that is why I have come here.

"I said when I was to leave Leeds it was going to take something special - and there is nothing more

special than to come to the team you have supported as a kid.

"I can't be any happier than I am at the moment - I am back with family and friends to play with the

club I supported as a kid."

Bowyer's talent on the field has certainly blossomed since he joined Leeds from Charlton in 1996, and he is expected to use that to help hoist the Hammers out of the relegation zone.

Glenn Roeder's strugglers ait bottom of the table and kick off the second half of what is now a salvage operation against Newcastle at home on Saturday - a game Bowyer hopes to play in.

He continued: "I think it is a good challenge and I wouldn't like to see the club go down so if I have got the chance to come here and help in any way I can I am going to do it - I am following my heart."

While Bowyer's six-month ban is unlikely to affect him this season, as it is only applicable in European fixtures, he along with former Leeds team-mate Jonathan Woodgate, faces a civil court claim for damages.