Olympic Stadium closed to Premiership

West Ham's proposal to move to London's Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games has been formally rejected.

The Hammers wanted a capacity of around 60,000, which would have changed the timeframe for construction due to the alterations of the design. Officials have also ruled out other Premier League clubs moving to the ground, with Tottenham looking to increase their capacity or relocate from White Hart Lane.

"The board reiterated that the priority was to deliver an Olympic stadium on time and on budget," read a statement from the Olympics Board.

"The board unanimously decided, therefore, that it would not be possible to deliver this in collaboration with West Ham, or indeed any other Premier League football club, due to the number of design changes and associated time delays that the West Ham proposal would incur."

League One side Leyton Orient have been linked with a move to the stadium, while West Ham will now look at the possibility of finding another suitable site.

The statement continued: "The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, told the board that he is anxious to assist and support West Ham's plans for developing and securing the future of the club and that, following discussions with him, West Ham are now exploring with the London Development Agency (LDA) the possibility of relocating and building a new stadium.

"One of the options being considered is the former Parcelforce site owned by the LDA next to West Ham Underground Station."

Hammers chairman Eggert Magnusson has confirmed he will continue to look for a suitable site for the club.

The Icelander said: "We have had a constructive dialogue on the possible legacy use of the Olympic Stadium but it was always clear that a solution which worked for all parties would be very difficult.

"It would appear that the option chosen by the Olympic Board could not work for us, given the needs of a modern football club, but we are positive about the discussion which has taken place. As a club we remain ambitious for the development of our stadium and will be exploring, in conjunction with the Mayor of London, other options as we move forward."