Bellamy seals £7.5million move to West Ham

Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy have confirmed the signing with West Ham United for a club record fee of £7.5million.

Bellamy, 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.

Bellamy was not prepared to be a squad player at Liverpool next season, even though he would have been involved in another Champions League campaign.

But he is convinced the Hammers will be competing among the elite before too long.

He said: '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 was the best move for me.

'I wanted to make sure that, if I left Liverpool, it would be to a club that is going to be pushing for Europe. 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 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.

'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.'

Bellamy joined his new team-mates in training today and links up with Wales international team-mates James Collins and Danny Gabbidon plus former Blackburn colleague Lucas Neill.

The Australian turned down the chance of a move to Liverpool to sign for West Ham in January and Bellamy understands why.

'I supported Liverpool as a boy and would have had the chance to play Champions League football again next season but I needed to look beyond that, in the same way that Lucas Neill did when he came here,' said Bellamy.

'I understood Lucas's position. If he'd joined Liverpool, he would have been a squad player, like I was. Some people don't understand it, but the opportunity to be a senior figure at an ambitious club like West Ham is very attractive.

'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.'

Source: Soccernet.com

With the landing of Bellamy, West Ham United may expecting more attacking power will be contribute by the Wales Captain.