West Ham re-sign George McCartney

By Simon Hayes on August 11, 2011 10:51 AM |

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The incoming traffic at Upton Park shows no signs of slowing down with left-back George McCartney the latest addition to West Ham's squad.

The Northern Ireland international returns to the club, three years after ending his first stint in east London. He joins on a season-long loan from Sunderland.

McCartney, 30, is Sam Allardyce's sixth signing since he arrived as manager in June.

He said: "It is brilliant to be coming back. For me personally it will be great to be playing again for a club like West Ham. It is a big opportunity for me and I can't wait to get started again. I am looking forward to being part of the manager's squad and the club's push for promotion.

"I have got experience of the Championship. It is a tough league to be in but with the signings the manager has made already and the players already here, it is a healthy squad. In my eyes, it is more than capable of getting us up at the first attempt."

McCartney spent last season on loan at Leeds United, and he could find himself making his second home bow against them a week on Sunday.

He said: "The West Ham fans are fantastic. I remember how good they were to me when I was here before.

"I know that if you do the business on the pitch, they will get behind you both home and away. More than ever this season, we need them behind the team as we look to try again promoted. The fans will be a big part in that."

During his first spell at the Boleyn he made 71 appearances, scoring once - a superb volley against Bolton Wanderers (pictured above).

His £6.5million sale to Sunderland in September 2008 proved to be the final straw for the then Irons manager Alan Curbishley, who quit the club in protest at players being sold without his knowledge.

At the time McCartney said he left because his wife couldn't settle in London, although the real reason appeared to be the need for the Hammers to cash in their assets as their financial situation worsened.