Parker becomes a Hammer

Scott Parker has become West Ham's first summer signing after agreeing a five year contract. He will cost the Hammers 7 million pounds.

The move back to Upton Park sees Parker link up again with Alan Curbishley, his former boss at Charlton.

Curbishley said: "I'm delighted Scott has agreed to sign for us. Our relationship goes back some time to when he first joined Charlton as a schoolboy. He's coming to the club knowing full well that we're trying to push forward and he wants to be part of that. Firstly he wants to improve our team, then he wants to improve his chances of forcing his way back into the England scene. He has been captain of Newcastle over the last couple of seasons and he is exactly the type of player that I wanted to bring to the club. He's very experienced but still young and I'm sure he's going to be a big asset to West Ham."

He will replace Reo Coker at the centre of the midfield for the Hammers and would most probably have Mark Noble as his midfield partner.

Personal information
Full name: Scott Matthew Parker
Date of birth: 13-10-1980 (age 26)
Place of birth: Lambeth, London, England
Height: 1.75m
Playing position: Midfielder

Club information

Senior clubs
Years Club App (Gls)
1997–2004...Charlton Athletic...128 (9)
2000...Norwich City (loan)...6 (1)
2004–2005...Chelsea...15 (1)
2005–2007...Newcastle United...55 (4)
2007–...West Ham Utd

National team
2003–present...England...3 (0)

Some Interesting facts
- Has represented England at every level; from under-15 to senior
- At the end of the 2003-04 season Parker was named as the PFA Young Player of the Year.
- Is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur.
- As a 13 year old Parker appeared in a well known British advert for McDonald's, in which he played keepie uppie during their 1994 World Cup campaign.
- Parker won his three England caps while playing for three different clubs.

picture from www.carling.com