West Ham and England youngster Rob Hall signs for the Blues until January

Former England U19 international Rob Hall has joined Birmingham City on loan until January.

The versatile West Ham forward, who was named Academy Player of the Year for 2011-12, will initially stay at St. Andrew’s until 12 January but there is an option to extend the stay.

Hall forced his way into the Hammers’ first-team via loan spells at Oxford and MK Dons and he has appeared seven times for the Upton Park club.

He has featured heavily in the England youth teams over the years, most notably for the U17s when he helped the Young Lions lift the 2010 Euros in Liechtenstein.

He played 16 times for John Peacock’s side and progressed into Noel Blake’s U19 squad for last season’s European Championship, where England reached the semi-final.

Hall will hook up at Birmingham with fellow England internationals Jack Butland and Ravel Morrison.

Birmingham boss Lee Clark told the Blues’ official website: "Rob is a very quick-footed attacker who has got great ability to go past defenders and creates great opportunities for himself and others.

"He's also got a great strike of the ball so I'm looking forward to working with him and he's excited about the challenge.

"It was quite a coup getting Rob because he's been doing really well in the development squad at West Ham which has got him on the bench for most of the season in the Premier League.

“I have got to thank Sam Allardyce for allowing this one to happen. In all honesty, I didn't think he'd allow Rob to come as he's been a big part of their squad but thankfully he has.

“We're now looking forward to working with him."

Meanwhile, Blair Turgott and Dan Potts, two other West Ham and England youngsters, have gone out on loan to Bradford and Colchester respectively.