Mears completes loan move to Derby

West Ham United can confirm that defender Tyrone Mears has joined Derby County on loan until the end of the season with an option to make the deal permanent.

The 23-year-old right-back, who originally signed for the Hammers last summer in a £1million deal from Preston North End, has teamed up with his former boss Billy Davies at Pride Park, and will hoping to help Derby hold on to their current position at the top of the Championship.

Tyrone made his debut at Upton Park on the opening day of the season against Charlton but has since suffered a succession of troublesome injuries that have restricted him to just six first-team appearances - the last of which came against Manchester City on December 30.