Hammers seal Mackay deal

West Ham have completed the signing of Norwich defender Malky Mackay in a deal worth £300,000 (€438,600).

The 32-year-old Scotland international played a vital role for the Canaries during their Division One promotion-winning season but has since fallen out of favour at Carrow Road.

“Malky’s strength, experience and presence will prove of enormous value to West Ham’s push for the Championship title,” said Hammers manager Alan Pardew.

“I’m delighted we have won the chase to bring him to Upton Park.”

Mackay added on the club’s website, www.whufc.com: “West Ham is a massive club and when I was told the club was accepting offers for me you look onwards and upwards – and I jumped at the chance to come here.”

Norwich manager Nigel Worthington paid tribute to a player he described as a “model professional”.

“I wish him every success in his career at West Ham,” he said. “He has played a major part in what we have achieved up to now but I have brought other people in and I have got ample cover in that department.

“I’ve decided to let him go for footballing reasons. I know Malky wants to play first-team football. He’s also got an international career to think about which has happened late on for him, and I know he cherishes that – so you’ve got to give that opportunity of playing regular first-team football.

“It’s good business. We paid about £325,000 (€475,200) for him seven years ago and now we’re getting £300,000 (€438,600) back which will go into the kitty.”