Football: Wright finalises move to West Ham

By Alan Nixon

IAN WRIGHT yesterday brought down the curtain on his Highbury career when he finalised his move across the capital to join West Ham.

Wright said that at least 10 clubs had wanted to sign him, but he told his agent that if he couldn't join the Hammers he would stay at Arsenal. "I wanted to come and play for Harry Redknapp because he is perfect for me. He knows what makes me tick and he is a good motivator. I told my agent that if I couldn't play for West Ham then I would stay at Arsenal.

"I believe West Ham are going somewhere and I want to be part of it. I am excited about playing with John Hartson, Eyal Berkovic, Trevor Sinclair, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Steve Lomas - the list just goes on.

"At the moment, Arsenal are at the top and West Ham are some way behind. But I believe West Ham will catch up with them and that Harry is building a squad capable of winning something - and I want to help. My aim is to score lots of goals and have fun doing it. I am constantly chasing that feeling and I know I can score goals in the Premiership in abundance. West Ham have people who can create chances and I can finish them off.

"The club had a great home record last season and if we can liven up the away form then maybe we can go one better and get into Europe." The two-year deal for 34-year-old Wright, is believed to be for a nominal fee of less than pounds 500,000.

Youri Djorkaeff, part of France's victorious World Cup team, has said he would like to leave Internazionale and come to England.

Djorkaeff has been made available by the Serie A side and he could be on his way to the Premiership in a pounds 5m move.

The French international striker, who failed to find the net at France 98, knows his first-team place at Inter is under pressure and is happy to follow French team-mates Patrick Vieira, Franck LeBoeuf and Emmanuel Petit to England.

Bryan Robson, the Middlesbrough manager, is poised to sign left- winger Kevin Kilbane from West Bromwich Albion in a pounds 2m deal.

The Republic of Ireland player is set to move to The Riverside this week as Robson carries on his spending in a concerted attempt to stay in the Premiership.

Robson has been chasing Kilbane all summer and now hopes to push through a deal for the winger who joined West Brom from Preston for pounds 750,000 a year ago. Kilbane will give Boro youth and fresh legs as he joins Gary Pallister and Dean Gordon at the Riverside. Robson is still hoping to secure the signature of the Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham, as the Boro chairman, Steve Gibson, has increased his spending power.

Bradford City are refusing to pay for signing Ashley Westwood in a shock challenge to the new transfer rules. The centre-half joined Bradford from Crewe at the end of his contract but the Yorkshire club argue they should not need to come up with a transfer fee.

New Football League rules state Crewe are entitled to compensation as Westwood is under 24 and a tribunal should settle the valuation. Crewe want at least pounds 500,000 for Westwood who joined them from Manchester United and is one of their top players.

However, Bradford are claiming the League rules are in breach of European Commission law on freedom of movement under the Treaty of Rome.

Ironically, if Westwood had moved to Greek club Panionos, who also wanted him, there would have been no fee due to Crewe.

So, farcically, Westwood would have been forced abroad to get a free transfer rather than travel 100 miles to Bradford, where he has a price.

Westwood's agent, Paul Stretford, said last night: "Ashley wants to join the club of his choice. Under European law he can find a new employer in that way.

"The Football League are acting outside the recommendations from the European Commission with their rule about fees for players under 24".

Bradford are prepared to pay Crewe for the "training and development" of Westwood, but not a transfer fee.

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