West Ham re-sign Carlton Cole

After letting go of him in the summer, West Ham United have re-signed striker Carlton Cole on a free transfer.

Cole was supposed to join West Ham in September, but he did not pass his fitness test and The Hammers decided against signing him.

However, Cole has been training at the club grounds since the past couple of weeks and the fact that Andy Carroll may not play until early January compelled West Ham to offer the former Chelsea player a contract until January 2014.

“I’m in an excellent mood, am happy to be back and can’t wait to get working with the lads again and start my season off,” Cole told the club’s official website.

“I’ve been working hard with the strength and conditioning coach in the gym and he’s been really hands-on with me to get me up to standard to train with the team and get my match fitness up as quickly as possible with a view to signing.

“I feel fit and raring to go and it’s time to start knocking on the manager’s door to get some games under my belt.”