West Ham have finalised their protracted £4million move to re-sign Darren Randolph after they were satisfied the goalkeeper would not suffer a recurrence of his recent thigh injury.
The Hammers agreed a three-and-a-half year deal for Randolph last week but the move was put on hold after issues arose during his medical.
West Ham wanted to be sure the 32-year-old would not break down once he joined.
Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate this week joked that Randolph, who spent two years at West Ham between 2015 and 2017, was having “the longest medical in history”.
But Randolph is fit again and, with Lukasz Fabianski out until next month with a hip injury, he could go straight into the team ahead of David Martin.
Randolph said: “I’m delighted to be back at West Ham United. I had two great years at the Club previously and still have a lot of friends here, so I had no hesitation in coming back. West Ham is a massive club, with fantastic supporters and an excellent squad of players.
“It’s a great challenge for me and I am really looking forward to working with the goalkeepers here and helping the team in any way I can.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Middlesbrough – the management, staff, players and fans – for their support. I had a great time there and wish them all the very best for the rest of the season.
“This opportunity was simply too good to turn down, though. It’s a great feeling to be back in the Premier League with such a fantastic club, and I can’t wait to get started.”
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