West Ham have confirmed that Sam Byram has joined Championship side Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan. The 24-year-old defender links up with Aitor Karanka’s squad as they target a return to the Premier League after two decades in the second tier.

Byram signed for the Hammers from Leeds United in January 2016 and has since made 36 appearances for the Club in all competitions.

Byram is the first of four players likely to go out on loan before the 31st August when the Championship loan window and most of Europe transfer window closes.

Spanish striker Toni Martinez is likely to return to Spain after Lucas Perez joined yesterday. He spent last season on loan at Real Valladolid when he made 10 appearances scoring one goal. He could return to Valladolid although Malaga is another possibility and a number of other Spanish clubs have registered an interest.

Edi Fernandes is also likely to be loaned Italian club Fiorentina before 17th August when the Italian transfer window closes. Reports suggest the Swiss International will join La Viola on an initial € 1 million loan deal. The Serie A side have an option to make the player’s move permanent for € 8.5 million at the end of the season.

Reece Oxford is likely to be the fourth player to go out on loan. He was hoping that Borussia Monchengladbach came in with a permanent transfer for him yesterday before the 5 pm deadline. No bid came in but the German side may come back with a loan offer again. There is a number of German clubs interested in loaning Oxford for the season.