Hammers bag Bellamy
Bellamy spent just one season at Liverpool before moving on
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Tuesday, 10, Jul 2007 05:21
West Ham United have completed the signing of Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy for a fee of £7.5 million.
The 27-year-old Welsh international joins Alan Curbishley's side on a five-year contract after he finalised the details of his contract release from his former club, saying he is "delighted" to be joining the Hammers.
"It's taken a little bit longer than I would have liked but the main thing is that it is done now and I can look forward to the challenge ahead," Bellamy told the West Ham website.
"I knew around two weeks ago that there was an opportunity for me to head away from Liverpool, but I had to make sure that any move was the right one for me and not just an off-the-cuff reaction.
"I had a lot to weigh up, and in the end I decided that West Ham United was the best move for me, and that's why I'm sitting here now."
Bellamy said he expected to spearhead the Hammers' attack next season and also harboured ambitions of leading the club into Europe.
"Obviously it would be naive of me to say that 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," he continued.
"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."
Bellamy added that his fears over being ousted from the Liverpool first-team next season, following the arrivals of fellow strikers Andriy Voronin and Fernando Torres, had also contributed to his desire to quit Merseyside.
"It was important for me to start playing regular football," he said.
"I could sit at Liverpool as a squad player all day long, picking up my money, playing every now and then, but I'd be cheating myself and my personality.
"I want to play every week, to test myself and be in the firing line a little bit. 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, and 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, I'm focusing on giving my all for the club and I'm really looking to the challenge ahead."