South Africa´s McCarthy moves to West Ham

South Africa’s Benni McCarthy completed his long anticipated move to West Ham United from Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers on Monday’s transfer deadline day.

McCarthy joined for an undisclosed fee on an 18 month contract that will keep the 32-year-old at Upton Park until 2012.

“West Ham United are pleased to confirming the signing of South Africa striker Benni McCarthy from Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee,” said a West Ham statement.

McCarthy, who could make his debut for the relegation threatened London side in Saturday’s league match against Burnley, said he had wanted West Ham to be his first club in English football when he left Portuguese side Porto.

“I am very pleased and extremely happy,” McCarthy, South Africa’s record goalscorer, with 32 goals in 77 internationals, told West Ham’s website.

“This is a great club. 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 this to be my first Premier League club. I went to Blackburn instead but West Ham kept pursuing me and eventually I am here,” added McCarthy, who scored 37 goals in 109 league matches for Rovers after arriving at Ewood Park from Porto in July 2006.

McCarthy had grown disillusioned with his lack of first-team starts under Rovers manager Sam Allardyce — he has scored four goals in 16 appearances this season — and wanted a move to ensure regular football ahead of the World Cup finals in South Africa in June and July.

But he refused to criticise Allardyce on Monday, telling Sky Sports: “I have no complaints about Blackburn.

“They did not play the kind of football that I wanted to play and so I couldn’t play there. I never had a disagreement with the manager. I have always been respectful and he has always been up front with me.”

McCarthy added: “I accepted his decision and it was clear that I needed a move and if I had stayed they would not have had a happy player.

“I felt I served my time at Blackburn and I am sad that I never had the chance to say thanks to the fans as they have been brilliant to me.”

Although the fee was undisclosed, with new West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold willing to back manager Gianfranco Zola in the transfer market, it was reported last week the Hammers were lining up a 2.5 million pounds move for McCarthy.

Zola, speaking before the deal was concluded, said he hoped McCarthy could provide a much needed attacking edge after the Hammers were involved in a goalless draw against Blackburn on Saturday that left them just a point above the relegation zone.

“Benni will be a threat in the last third,” Zola said. “He is a player who can score goals and he will be a very good help for us.”

Meanwhile McCarthy said he was looking forward to playing under the Italian.

“He has been great and has put my mind at ease on the kind of football the team will play and what I can expect at the club,” he said.

McCarthy shot to prominence under Jose Mourinho at Porto, having initially played in Europe for Dutch side Ajax before moving to Spanish club Celta Vigo.

He scored 12 goals in his first 11 matches while on loan at Porto in the 2001-02 season before winning the Portuguese golden boot, with 20 goals in 23 matches, during the club’s victorious 2003-04 Champions League campaign.