The 18-year-old has passed a medical and agreed a season-long deal from Uruguayan club Deportivo Maldonado to become manager Sam Allardyce's eighth new recruit since taking over.

"I am very excited to come here and play in England, especially for a club like West Ham,'' Montenegro told the Hammers' official website, www.whufc.com.

"I am hoping to get a chance to show the fans what I can do.

"I have to prove myself but if I get the chance I would love to help the club get promoted this season.

"This is a fantastic opportunity and it would be a dream to help the team get to the Premier League. I am going to work very hard to impress."

BIRMINGHAM could be set to fight it out with CARDIFF for the capture of COVENTRY defender Ben Turner ahead of Wednesday`s transfer deadline.

Turner was Coventry`s stand-out performer over the opening months of last season before having to undergo a knee ligament operation which has sidelined him ever since.

The Birmingham-born 23-year-old is now close to making his long-awaited return after the serious injury, but it could be that it does not come in the sky blue of Coventry.

CHARLTON have signed defender Leon Cort on a season-long loan from BURNLEY.

The 31-year-old becomes Addicks manager Chris Powell's 17th signing this summer.

"I'm delighted to join Charlton," Cort told the club's official website, www.cafc.co.uk.

"It's a fantastic move for me. Charlton are a massive club and I am looking forward to getting started.

"When I found out Charlton were interested in me I was interested straight away. It's a club with real ambition and it's always nice to have someone wanting you.

"The team have made a great start to the season, and hopefully I can get into the squad. There will be suspensions and injuries throughout the season so we need a strong squad and I will do all I can to help the club gain promotion."

New BRADFORD boss Phil Parkinson has swooped to make his first signing at Valley Parade, acquiring free agent Kyel Reid on a two-year contract.

Parkinson is familiar with Reid having worked with him at Charlton, who released the left winger at the end of last season.

"I watched some of our games over the weekend and I just felt another attacking threat was needed, especially in wide areas," Parkinson explained to the Bantams' official website, www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk.

"Kyel certainly fits that bit, he's like an old-fashioned wide player. He'll attack the full back and get balls into the box."

Reid began his career at West Ham and experienced loan spells at Barnsley, Crystal Palace, Blackpool and Wolves before moving to Sheffield United prior to his spell at The Valley.