West Ham United FC

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• Manager:Avram Grant

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Irons defend McCartney sale

02 Sep 2008 - 09:48:01

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West Ham United have responded to criticism of their sale of George McCartney by claiming they had little option but to allow the defender to rejoin Sunderland.

The Hammers board have come under fire from unhappy supporters after they allowed the 27-year-old Northern Ireland international to return to Wearside for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £3million on transfer deadline day.

McCartney, who spent eight years with the Black Cats before leaving for Upton Park in 2006, has signed a five-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

"We had no intention of selling George McCartney but it became clear in the last couple of days after he handed in a written transfer request that he was desperate to move on for family reasons," chief executive Scott Duxbury told the club's official website.

"Once Sunderland came in with an improved offer, we decided the deal was in the best interests of all parties."

McCartney, who made 71 appearances during his two years with the Hammers, explained: "My wife didn't settle in London and Sunderland have offered me the chance to return to the north-east, where I spent ten years after joining the club as a youngster.

"I'd like to wish West Ham and Alan Curbishley all the very best of luck."