West Ham Fans Born to be Claret and Blue

Wset Ham manager Alan Pardew has finally managed to bring Charlton's Luke Young to the Boleyn. The England International who began his career with Tottenham has at last has his move endorsed by new Addicks manager ex-Hammer Iain Dowie. The move had been agreed in principal with the player a while ago, the stumbling block was the fee and the need to find a replacement for the right back who was also the club's captain. Young will link up with Paul Konchesky and Jonathan Spector who both played for the club under ex-manager Alan Cubishley. The deal, while being reported all over the media, will not officially be announced until July 1st because of the fiscal year structure which would see a post June signing falling into the second half of the year. The exact fee is not known at the moment, but will eventually be £4 Million with add ons and a sell on clause, with the player signing a four year contract. The Carlton Cole deal from Chelsea is a little less clear cut, with the player considering his options, if he did arrive at the Boleyn, he may find himself well down the pecking order, something he and his advisers will obviously be thinking about. When we contacted the Hammers press agent about both moves, we were told that "something will be announced soon", when further pushed he did confirm that there would be more than one new arrival to discuss when the club have the official press call. IMPORTANT Now just to make us look stupid, we have been told that there may well be no announcement before monday, apparently the comercial depatment don't want the signing to be overshadowed by the England v Portugal match. The chorus of told you so will doubtless ring, but we can only do our best. - Ed