Carew signs
Norway striker John Carew has become the fifth new face at West Ham United this summer
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of Norway striker John Carew.The Hammers' fifth summer recruit with a proven Premier League track record, Carew passed a medical on Saturday morning before putting pen to paper at the Boleyn Ground in the afternoon. He has been handed the No11 shirt.
The imposing 6'5-tall forward will bring vast experience to the forward line, having earned league winners' medals in three different countries. With Norway going well in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying, he continues to be a leading international and has scored 23 goals in 88 games for his country.
Speaking exclusively to whufc.com, he said: "I am so pleased to be here. I am very happy to sign for such a big club. I am looking forward to being part of a good team here that will bring this great club back up to the Premier League again."
Carew first met Sam Allardyce on Thursday to agree his switch to east London. He had been coveted by several clubs across Europe since leaving Aston Villa at the end of last season but was eager to sign up for the club's Championship challenge.
"The manager was very good," Carew added. "I know about him from other players, former team-mates I know who have played under him. They all had fantastic words to say about him. He spoke well to me and I think he is a great manager and I am very happy to be playing for him and for the club."
At the start of a hugely successful career, Carew's first major honour was the Norwegian title with Rosenborg BK in 1999 before notable displays in European competition saw him attract the attention of Europe's elite clubs.
Valencia paid £7.5m for his services in 2000 and Carew went on to help them to the 2001 UEFA Champions League final and a Spanish title in 2001/02. From there, he headed to France and he ultimately won a Ligue 1 championship with Olympique Lyonnais in 2005/06
Carew, 31, has been in England since January 2007, racking up 133 appearances for Aston Villa and scoring 54 goals overall. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Stoke City, playing 13 times for the Potters.
The striker will not be eligible to play against Cardiff City on Sunday, having not been registered in time with the Football League. Allardyce could field his other four new recruits, with Joey O'Brien, Abdoulaye Faye, Kevin Nolan and Matthew Taylor all forming part of his matchday squad. For the latest ticket information, click here.
Carew is the first Norwegian to sign for the club since defender Ragnvald Soma, who played seven league games between 2001 and 2002.
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