McCarthy joins West Ham
McCarthy is looking forward to playing under Gianfranco Zola
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Monday, 01, Feb 2010 06:05
By Sam Ross.
West Ham United have completed the signing of Benni McCarthy from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The South African forward has joined on a permanent deal that will keep him at Upton Park until the summer of 2012.
The move was finally confirmed today after West Ham had reportedly agreed a deal for the 32-year-old front man last week, which was held up due to work permit issues.
Fortunately the permit was granted and McCarthy is now in contention to make his debut in Saturday's league game against Burnley.
The former Porto star is his country's all-time leading scorer with 32 goals and is looking forward to playing with West Ham ahead of the World Cup.
He said: "I am very pleased and extremely happy. This is a great club. I am looking forward to making up for lost time and I can't wait to make my debut.
"The reception I've got from everyone at the club and the fans I have already met in the street has been great. Everyone was optimistic and gave me a really good feeling. All I want to do is score goals for West Ham and make the fans happy."
The striker was set to join West Ham five years ago while at Porto but the deal fell through and although it took some time he is now delighted he has finally made the switch from Lancashire to London.
He added: "The reason I am happy that it has finally happened is because about five years ago I had a disappointing experience when I thought I was going to be a West Ham player until Porto pulled out and I had to go back."
McCarthy was also quick to deny reports surrounding an apparent bust up with Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce: "Blackburn were very good to me and I had a wonderful time there but now this is a new opportunity.
"This for me is fantastic and I can't wait to play for the manager [Gianfranco Zola]."