McCarthy finally signs for West Ham

By Simon Hayes on February 1, 2010 3:16 PM |

Tagged with:

West Ham have completed the signing of Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy.

The South African international joined the Hammers this afternoon on a two-and-a-half year deal after work permit issues, which delayed the deal last week, were resolved.

McCarthy, 32, will bolster the Irons strikeforce, which has been somewhat goalshy in recent weeks, and he's looking forward to teaming up with the likes of Carlton Cole and Alessandro Diamanti.

He said: "I am very pleased and extremely happy. I am looking forward to making up for lost time and I can't wait to make my debut. All I want is to score goals."

McCarthy, who has cost in the region of £2.5million, should have the chance to do just that this Saturday, when West Ham travel to Burnley - where he is likely to start the match.

He will wear the number 17 shirt and joins the Irons after four-and-a-half years at Blackburn, for whom he scored 52 goals.

McCarthy was keen to move to Upton Park after almost making the switch from Porto in 2006, when he ended up at Blackburn instead.

He said: "The reason why 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.

"I would have loved to this to be my first Premier League club. I went to Blackburn instead but West Ham kept on pursuing me and eventually I am here."

McCarthy will be keen to make an impact at Upton Park to cement his place in South Africa's World Cup squad for this summer's tournament on home soil.