Hammers seal Ashton deal

West Ham United have completed the club record signing of Dean Ashton from Norwich.

West Ham United have completed the club record signing of Dean Ashton from Norwich.

The Hammers have agreed a deal that could be worth up to £7.25 million for The Canaries.

Ashton, who has penned a four-and-half year at Upton Park, was happy to have sealed his move.

"Obviously really delighted to sign for such a massive club as West Ham, I was sorry to leave Norwich but when West Ham came I jumped at the chance and to be back in The Premiership is great," he told Sky Sports News.

"My ambition is to play in The Premiership regularly and hopefully I can improve.

"I put pressure on myself to perform the best I can and I don't think about the fee and I will try and improve.

"I am flattered that West Ham paid such a big fee and I will work as hard as possible to repay that.

"I think it is definitely a club moving forward, you can see that in how they have performed this season and if selected I will work as hard as I can and you never know where that might take you."

Ashton insists he was never in doubt that West Ham were the right club for him.

"As soon as I spoke to Alan (Pardew), I knew where the club was going and was pleased with what he was saying and I realised where the club was going and I jumped at the chance," he added.

"I am grateful it fell at my doorstep - West Ham are a massive club.

"The main reason I left [Norwich] is that I am ambitious and I want to play for a big club."

Ashton is now available to make his debut against Blackburn in the FA Cup on Saturday.