Through a statement on its official website, English Premier League team West Ham United has announced the signing of Anglo - Nigerian attacker Carlton Cole on a short term deal until January 13, 2014.<br /><br />The 30 - year - old, who has been training with the Hammers for the past few weeks , is expected to provide cover for injured striker Andy Carroll.<br /><br />&ldquo;I&rsquo;m in an excellent mood, am happy to be back and can&rsquo;t wait to get working with the lads again and start my season off.<br /><br />&ldquo;I feel fit and raring to go and it&rsquo;s time to start knocking on the manager&rsquo;s door to get some games under my belt,&rdquo; Cole told the official website.<br /><br />For the duration of his stay at the Boleyn Ground, Carlton Cole will play with the number 24 shirt.<br /><br />He netted 59 goals in 237 appearances in his last stint with West Ham.<br /><br /><i>Photo Credit:&nbsp; fifa.neoseeker.com</i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />