Hammers Make Downing Fifth Signing As Liverpool Clear Wage Bill

West Ham United have confirmed the signing of England winger Stewart Downing from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee.

The 29 year old has penned a four-year deal at Upton Park and becomes the fifth summer addition made by manager Sam Allardyce.

Goalkeeper Adrian, Razvan Rat, Danny Whitehead and Andy Carroll were signed earlier in the summer ahead of the new campaign to help The Hammers attempt to better their 10<sup>th place finish in the Premier League last season.

"I'm very excited," Downing said. "It's a great opportunity for me being here, it's a great club and I'm really excited to get going.

"I'm ready and I'm fit for the first game against Cardiff City. I've played a decent few games for Liverpool in pre-season, so there will be no problems on that front.

"It's all happened quickly, but I'm really excited and hoping to play a part on Saturday."

The move brings an end to Downing's inauspicious two-year spell at Liverpool, which included just seven goals and eight assists across 91 appearances following a big-money move from Aston Villa in the summer of 2011.

Brendan Rodgers said last season that Downing was free to leave in the January transfer window but the Middlesbrough-born wide-man remained at Anfield, making 39 starts in all competitions for The Reds.

The departure frees up room on Liverpool's wage bill and could lead to further additions in this summer with Brendan Rodgers determined to add to the squad ahead of an assault on Champions League qualification.

"Everybody at LFC would like to wish Stewart all the best in his future career," a Liverpool statement read.

He will link up with former Liverpool players Joe Cole and Carroll and ex-Villa defender James Collins in east London and will compete with the likes of Ricardo Vaz Te and Matt Jarvis for a wide role in the club's first team.

Downing has won 34 caps for England but despite being included in Roy Hodgson's squad for Euro 2012 has gone over a year without making an international appearance.