West Ham United have completed the signing of Freddie Ljungberg from Arsenal for a fee which could rise to £3million.

Ljungberg was Arsenal’s longest serving player after joining the club in 1998 for £3million from Halmstads, but has decided to follow Thierry Henry in leaving the Gunners.

The 30-year-old midfielder agreed a four-year contract at Upton Park after passing a medical.

He said: “Two years ago, when I signed my last contract, we talked a lot about the future and about bringing great players to the club. Despite building the new stadium, we wanted to stay top in England and do well in Europe.

“For me that didn’t really happen.

“I stayed because I wanted to stay loyal to Arsenal. But when Henry left this summer, it felt like the end for me unfortunately.

“I felt like all the unbeaten players [from Arsenal’s ‘invincibles’ of 2003-04] had left. I wanted to be loyal but I felt like it was the right time.

He continued: “I’m coming here because I want to build a great team.

“And why I want to join is because of Magnusson. He wants to bring them forward to be top of the country.

“He’s willing to go to the transfer market to buy top players and mix them with youth players. West Ham have a great academy.

“He wants to help take the club up and take them to the top in England. It’s a big challenge for me.”