Clarke content with Hammers switch

Irish international Clive Clarke claims he preferred a £275,000 (€397,000) move to West Ham to a switch to Sunderland because he thinks the Hammers have a better chance of staying in the Premiership.

The 25-year-old left-back, who had just under a year left on his contract at Stoke, has been linked with a move away from the Potters all summer and the Black Cats had a formal offer of £100,000 (€144,000) turned down by the Championship club.

Burnley had a £125,000 bid knocked back and there was also reported interest from Ipswich but Clarke has now signed a four-year deal with the east London club.

It is another significant boost to the defensive options of Alan Pardew, who has also signed Charlton’s Paul Konchesky and Cardiff duo James Collins and Danny Gabbidon.

Like Konchesky, Clarke is a versatile operator and has had long spells in central midfield for Stoke.

He hopes top-flight football will help him add to his one Republic of Ireland cap and admits he was concerned a fee might not be agreed before the closing of the transfer window at the end of August.

He said: “There have been a few bids but I’m just happy it’s sorted out now. It was a worry with so many bids being rejected. You always want to improve and hopefully it will help (my international ambitions).”

Along with the Black Cats and Wigan, the Hammers are favourites for relegation but Clarke reckons the team promoted through the play-offs are more likely to remain in the top flight than the clubs coming up automatically.

“Out of the three teams promoted, I think we’ve got the best chance of staying up,” he said. "The manager has already signed some good players and hopefully there’s a little bit more money to buy another top striker as well."