Bellamy seals £7.5million move to West Ham
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West Ham have confirmed the signing of Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy for a club record fee of £7.5million.
Bellamy, 28 next week, agreed a five-year deal at Upton Park after it was made clear he had no future at Anfield following the arrival of Spain international Fernando Torres.
The transfer was agreed on Friday but was delayed over the weekend as Bellamy thrashed out contractual issues with Liverpool.
The Wales captain is West Ham's fourth summer signing and takes manager Alan Curbishley's spending since he arrived at Upton Park in December to nearly £40million.
The deal for Bellamy breaks West Ham's previous transfer record of £7.25million, which the Hammers paid Norwich for Dean Ashton in January 2006.
Bellamy joins midfielders Scott Parker and Julien Faubert plus goalkeeper Richard Wright in signing for the Hammers this summer.
Curbishley had previously targeted Darren Bent and had a £17million offer accepted by Charlton, only for the England striker to reject the Hammers for Tottenham. -
Hammers have been signing players at the wrong price and overvalued their salary.
Cheers.
CK -
Bellamy explains Reds exit
Craig Bellamy has revealed his desire to play regular first-team football was the main reason behind joining West Ham.
The former Newcastle and Blackburn ace left Liverpool on Tuesday in a deal costing The Hammers £7.5million.
Bellamy had only been at Anfield for one year, but was forced to consider his future after growing frustrated at the club's rotation policy.
The Wales captain is now looking to feature more under Alan Curbishley with the hope of boosting his form for his country.
"I'll be turning 28 this season so I want to start playing football now," he told Sky Sports News.
"I think I played 10 or 11 full games last year. I want to try and improve on that and play every week.
"Obviously with one or two more signings at Liverpool it was going to be a lot more difficult to get into the team.
"I would have been happy to stand and fight for my place but that wasn't the case. So I had to look at the best option for me.
"I want to play European football and I believe West Ham have got a good chance of that in the years to come.
"You don't walk away from Liverpool too easily, but I wanted to play football.
"It's important I play week-in, week-out to be able to lead my country out as well." -
My exact sentiments.Originally posted by CKeer:Hammers have been signing players at the wrong price and overvalued their salary.
Cheers.
CK -
wherever he goes trouble will always follow
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he has been playing for so long but hardly improve.
the worst thing is his temperament. always complaining. -
BELLAMY BACKS HAMMERS FOR EUROPE
Craig Bellamy is determined to fire West Ham United into the Champions League after completing a club-record move from Liverpool to Upton Park.
The Wales captain agreed a five-year deal with the Hammers for a fee of £7.5million once it was made clear he had no future at Anfield following the arrival of Spain international Fernando Torres.
Bellamy, 28 later this week, only spent one season at Liverpool and has led a nomadic existence in recent years, with short spells at Newcastle United, Celtic and Blackburn Rovers.
But he is ready to lay roots in east London and is convinced the Hammers will be competing among the elite before too long.
Bellamy said: “I want to play in Europe, it’s important to me, and I felt that same drive and ambition here at West Ham.
“Obviously it would be naive of me to say we are going to qualify for the Champions League next season but that’s one thing we are really going to be pushing for here in the future.
“The club is looking to strengthen what is already a very good squad, and West Ham are renowned for their open and attacking football, so everything is perfect for me.
”I had a great experience at Liverpool and I believe West Ham will benefit this year because I know I am a better player for it.
”I’ve signed a five-year contract here and I will be here for the long term. I’ve moved around a bit in recent years. Now I want to settle.
”I’m 28 later this week and hopefully approaching the prime years of my career. I believe West Ham are going to see the best of me.”
Bellamy is West Ham’s fourth summer signing and takes manager Alan Curbishley’s spending since he arrived at Upton Park in December to nearly £40million.
can you believe this? -
wtf, this kinda player liverpool also can make profit?
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i hope west ham wont end up relegated.
frankly, i have little confidence in curbs. i think he is a mid-table manager.