The Hammers will sign Diarra in the summer (Picture: Getty Images)

West Ham have been forced to wait until the summer to sign Lassana Diarra, manager Sam Allardyce has confirmed.

The French midfielder has been a free agent since having his contract terminated by Lokomotiv Moscow last year, and the Hammers tried to land the much-travelled Diarra to help with their European push.

However, a FIFA regulation means Diarra is unable to sign for Allardyce’s side until the end of the season, although the 29-year-old may continue to train with the Hammers in the mean time.

Allardyce told Sky Sports: ‘We had agreed a deal and unfortunately the FIFA regulation – that hasn’t been explained to me yet.




‘There is a FIFA regulation at the moment that cannot be overcome so he will not be joining us until the end of the season.’

West Ham will be Diarra’s fourth Premier League club having previously spent time with Arsenal, Chelsea and Portsmouth.

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