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On Monday, London paid £7.25 million to acquire Norwich striker Dean Ashton. The 22-year-old Englishman successfully underwent a medical examination on Monday and signed a contract with Alan Pardew's team.
For this transfer, West Ham immediately paid Norwich £7 million (about €10 million), but this amount could increase by £250,000 - half of which Norwich would receive if D. Ashton plays for the England national team, and the other half - if West Ham qualifies for any European club tournament while being represented by D. Ashton.
A year ago, the former England U-21 national team member moved from Crewe to Norwich for £3 million and scored eighteen goals for the club. The new player's coach, A. Pardew, admitted that the club paid "a bit too much" for the striker, but added that it was a great opportunity to get Ashton.
The academy of Crewe will receive part of the transfer fee from Norwich - about £1.5 million, as previously agreed in the striker's transfer agreement.
"Dean will definitely strengthen our attacking line," A. Pardew told journalists. "I have to admit that we may have slightly overpaid for him at this stage of his career. However, he seems so suitable for us that we don't regret spending this money."
