Stewart Downing finishes his career with Liverpool and move to West Ham.

Earlier this summer Liverpool sold Andy Carroll to West Ham United at a major loss in order to start a true purging of the side that was full overpriced talent. Soon afterwards the initial rumors of Stewart Downing following Carroll to the Boleyn Grounds began, but faded as the English winger had a decent preseason with the Reds.
 
However, despite any belief that Downing was going to be a part of this year’s Liverpool campaign to regain European football, the winger has now been moved south to follow his national teammate.

Downing was rumored more recently to be headed to Newcastle United, but it appears that the Hammers were more keen in securing another wide player that could provide the type of aerial service that their new permanent star forward will require.

Reports from "The Telegraph", Liverpool and the Hammers official website all confirmed the deal this afternoon, and it is believed that Downing has signed a four-year deal with the London club. Upon his move the winger was excited for the new opportunity:

"I'm very excited. It's a great opportunity for me being here, it's a great Club and I'm really excited to get going.I'm ready and I'm fit for the first game against Cardiff City. I've played a decent few games for Liverpool in pre-season, so there will be no problems on that front.
It's all happened quickly, but I'm really excited and hoping to play a part on Saturday."


After having cost Liverpool a hefty £20 million from Aston Villa two years ago, his move to London is believed to have only cost Sam Allardyce £6 million, a fraction of that initial fee seeing the Hammers the profiteers from Liverpool’s £55 million failed spending spree in 2011-12.

Downing was told last season that he was not going to have a future at Liverpool and his form immediately improved, however it appears that despite all his efforts to remain on Merseyside his Reds career is over after 91 appearances, seven goals and 11 assists.