West Ham duo join Fulham

By Simon Hayes on July 16, 2008 10:10 AM |

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BOBBY Zamora and John Paintsil have swapped West Ham for west London in the Hammers' first big transfer deal of the summer.

The pair have joined Fulham in a £6.3m deal, Zamora for four years and Paintsil for three. The fee could rise by a further £1m depending on appearances.

Lifelong Hammers' fan Zamora, who lives in Canary Wharf, arrived at Upton Park in January 2004 and scored the winner in the 2005 play-off final. He also played in the 2006 FA Cup final against Liverpool, missing the Irons' first spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.

Injuries restricted Zamora to just 14 appearances last season and he faced stiff competition from the likes of Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy for a starting place next season.

Ghana international Paintsil was signed by former boss Alan Pardew after the 2006 World Cup but managed only seven starts during his stint in the east end.

He did become a cult hero with fans with his idiosyncratic style and wholehearted enthusiasm, culminating in a one man lap of honour after the last home game of last season.

West Ham CEO Scott Duxbury said: "In view of the competition for places at the club and a lack of first-team opportunities likely in the new season, we recognised both players' wish for regular football.

"I m sure both he [Zamora] and John Paintsil will be warmly welcomed whenever they return to the Boleyn Ground in years to come."

The departures will also help to ease the wage bill at Upton Park as the club look to cut costs and reduce the size of the squad, with Nolberto Solano released earlier this summer.