Carroll signs for West Ham on loan as Liverpool finally call time on 35m misfit

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UPDATED:

20:24 GMT, 30 August 2012

Andy Carroll has completed a sensational loan move to West Ham.

The Liverpool striker joins the Hammers for the rest of the season –
with the deal becoming permanent next summer if they stay up.

He told his new club: 'It's great to be here at West Ham and all signed up – I just can't wait to get started now.

'I want to be playing games and
obviously hoping to score some goals. I know the manager well and some
of the lads, so it is nice for me to come to a place where I know
people.

Done deal: Andy Carroll has signed on loan for West Ham from Liverpool

'I'm hoping to add a lot of goals and
create a few chances. I know Sam from Newcastle and he was a massive
reason for me coming. When I worked with him at Newcastle it was great
so it was a no-brainer really.'

Manager Sam Allardyce added: 'I think
for all parties this is a great signing. Andy is an all-round
footballer, but because he is 6'3' and one of his strengths is his
aerial power, everybody dismisses the ability he possesses on the floor.

'Hopefully he can score goals for us
and we will be in a very good position at the end of the year in the
Barclays Premier League.'

It is a remarkable switch for the England international, who cost Liverpool a staggering 35million in January 2011.

He failed to make an impact at Anfield under Kenny Dalglish and new manager Brendan Rodgers quickly made it clear that he wasn't part of his plans.

Carroll was wanted by his former club Newcastle but it is understood that Liverpool were unwilling to let him return to their close rivals.

Instead, he finds himself on the way to Upton Park, where he will be first-choice striker.

Friends reunited: Carroll will link up with good friend and former Newcastle team-mate Kevin Nolan at Upton Park

West Ham will pay Carroll's 80,000 per week wages – along with a 1.5m loan fee – to bring him to east London in a move that will excite their fans.

They will then have to pay 18m to make the deal permanent next summer.

The striker's fall from grace has
been dramatic – although perhaps not as stunning as Liverpool offloading
a player who they paid a club record fee for.

With Fabio Borini joining Luis Suarez at Anfield this summer, it was clear that Carroll's future on Merseyside was bleak.

Hands off: Sam Allardyce insists he will not entertain bids for Mark Noble

Despite impressing with England at
Euro 2012, he didn't do enough to catch the eye of Rodgers, who is busy
attempting to return Liverpool to the Barclays Premier League top four.

Now Carroll finds himself at West Ham
as they bid to preserve their top-fight status after promotion through
the play-offs in May.

He will compete with Carlton Cole,
Modibo Maiga and Ricardo Vaz Te for a place up front. The Hammers have
agreed to offload Nicky Maynard to Cardiff to make room for Carroll in
their squad.

Allardyce has already spent a record fee on winger Matt Jarvis, who cost almost 11m from Wolves.