The Hammers had also been interested in taking another of our unwanted full backs, Robbie Elliott, on loan but in the end settled for Quinn.
West Ham’s assistant manager Paul Goddard told the club’s official website: "Both players are very experienced and it was a very close call. We seek advice from as many people as we can, and they are slightly different kinds of left back; we just felt maybe Wayne suited us a little bit better.
"Wayne was one of those lads that, when he broke into first team football, was very highly thought of and perhaps he hasn't quite reached where his potential was looking.
"But he is still young enough to turn that round. I am sure he will be looking on this as a great opportunity for him and we are looking forward to working with him - it is a starting position."
Goddard actually appears to have summed up Quinn’s career to date pretty accurately as he was one of the most highly-rated young defenders in England when Kenny Dalglish first tried to bring him to the club in 1998, but he certainly hasn’t shown why since actually arriving in 2001.
But the 26-year-old looked the business on loan at Sheffield United last season so maybe it is just a case of his level being Division One.