Hargreaves completes United signing

England midfielder Owen Hargreaves on Sunday completed his signing for Manchester United from Bayern Munich.

The 26-year-old has signed a four-year contract after a lengthy pursuit by the Premier League champions following last year's World Cup where he was the surprise success story of England's largely disappointing campaign.

"It's been a long time coming. It was probably the worst-kept secret in football, but it's great to be here," Hargreaves told the club's official website.

Hargreaves joined Bayern from the Calgary Foothills in 1997 and won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern as well as the 2001 Champions League and Intercontinental Cup (World Club Championship).

"I think it's great to finally reach a positive conclusion," said Hargreaves, who had been contracted to Bayern until 2010.

"Especially after all the time and energy that's been put in from everyone involved!"

Canada-born Hargreaves's transfer free was reported last month as 17 million pounds (34 million dollars).

Julien Faubert set for West Ham

West Ham confirmed Sunday they have signed rising French star Julien Faubert from Bordeaux.

The 23-year-old midfielder has penned a five-year contract worth 6.1 million pounds (12 million dollars), becoming manager Alan Curbishley's second summer capture following the arrival of Scott Parker from Newcastle.

Club chairman Eggert Magnusson told the club's website: "I am delighted to welcome Julien to Upton Park and feel sure that he will become a very successful signing for the club.

"He is one of the most highly-rated young players in European football and many clubs were attempting to sign him, so we are very pleased that he has decided to join West Ham United.

"I have been very impressed by his desire and ambition and I think he will be very popular among our supporters."

Faubert had been angling for a move to Rangers in Scotland but Bordeaux rejected their offer, thought to be in the region of 4.5 million pounds.

Bordeaux's new coach Laurent Blanc had wanted to keep the midfielder but president Jean-Louis Triaud earlier revealed he had accepted West Ham's bid.

Faubert's capture will help ease West Ham's pain on missing out on Darren Bent, who recently snubbed the club for Tottenham despite being offered better terms at Upton Park.

Faubert began his professional career at Cannes before joining Bordeaux three years ago. He helped the club finish runners up in the French championship in 2006, qualifying them for last season's Champions League.

His France debut came against Bosnia in August, and he marked the occasion with the winner in a 2-1 victory.

He was the first player to wear Les Bleus' number 10 shirt since the retirement of the legendary Zinedine Zidane. As well as West Ham and Rangers, Roma were believed to be interested in acquiring the player.