WEST Ham new boy Radoslav Kovac insists he was drawn to the club because of the attractive football the team are playing under Gianfranco Zola.

The Czech Republic international impressed in his second start for the Hammers in the 1-0 win over Manchester City at Upton Park last week, anchoring the midfield and breaking up attack after attack from Mark Hughes' men.

The 29-year-old, who joined from Russian side Spartak Msocow in January, is on loan until the end of the season, and he is convinced that he has made a smart move.

“I joined West Ham because I have seen them play a few matches recently and they have been playing good football,” he told West Ham's official website. “They try to play the right way and I like that. The club is on the up and I'm pleased to have joined them.”

Kovac arrived in East London from the cold, having played in just one pre-season training session with Moscow, as it is the Russian off-season at this time of year.

That lack of preparation hampered him during his first appearance for the Irons, against Middlesbrough in the fifth round of the FA Cup last week, but Zola was delighted to see him make a valuable contribution in the match against City.

“He did very well. He came on in a team that was playing very well and their (Manchester City's) midfield is probably the strongest part of their team. At Middlesbrough he didn't play so well, but he played a very good match against City.

“He had a slight problem with his leg but he stayed on the pitch and worked very hard, and is a good asset for us. Now he is finding his fitness and we are starting to see just what a good player he is.”