Pardew 'delighted' with Green deal

West Ham manager Alan Pardew has lifted the spirits around Upton Park with the £2million signing of England goalkeeper Robert Green.

Pardew was left "devastated" after key striker Dean Ashton was ruled out for three months with a broken ankle suffered while training with the England squad. But the Hammers boss was able to raise a smile after Green passed a strict medical and signed a four-year contract to complete his move from Norwich to West Ham.

"I'm delighted to have secured Robert's signature," said Pardew. "He already has Premiership experience and is an established member of the England squad, so it is obviously fantastic to have him here in our squad."

The 26-year-old fits perfectly into Pardew's recruitment strategy.

Green is an England international but with plenty still to prove and Pardew believes the competition for top billing with Northern Ireland international Roy Carroll will bring the best out in him.

Pardew added: "At 26, he still has his best years ahead of him, and we are all excited about what he can bring to the club.

"He is another young English talent who will be pushing to continue his international career this season, and I am sure he can achieve that aim at West Ham United.

"We now have a stronger pool of goalkeepers than we had last year, with Roy Carroll and Jimmy Walker also competing for the first-team jersey, and it can only be healthy for the squad.

"I've no doubt that Robert will relish that challenge, and it will hopefully take all three goalkeepers to a higher level."