West Ham's Dean Ashton forced to retire

By Simon Hayes on December 11, 2009 10:16 AM |

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Dean Ashton has been forced to retire from football at the age of 26 because of injury.

The West Ham striker's future was increasingly in doubt as he failed to recover from a series of injuries since breaking his ankle on England duty three years ago.

He joined the Irons in January 2006 for a club record £7.25million fee and established himself as a fans' favourite with his bustling style and eye for goal.

He played 56 times for the Hammers, scoring 19 goals, including one in the 2006 FA Cup final defeat to Liverpool.

Ashton, who also played for Norwich and Crewe won one England cap against Trinidad and Tobago last year.

But it was his first experience of an England get-together that ultimately led to the end of his career.

Steve McLaren called Ashton up in August 2006 but during a training session Shaun Wright-Phillips broke the Irons' striker's ankle in a challenge, ruling him out for the rest of that season as the Irons fought relegation.

He eventually returned for the start of the 2007-08 season but looked overweight and struggled with a succession of niggling injuries although he did manage 31 appearance that campaign.

Fans hoped he would spearhead the Hammers attack last season but although Ashton netted twice in the opening day defeat of Wigan Athletic it proved to be a false dawn as his ankle continued to trouble him.

He only managed five games before the injury forced him onto the sidelines once again, with his last appearance for the Hammers coming in the defeat at West Bromwich Albion last September.

West Ham United chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "This is a sad day and our thoughts are with Dean.

"I would like to place on record our thanks to him for all his efforts and wish him the very best. I would also like to thank the fans for their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time."