WEST HAM HAVE completed the signing of striker Danny Ings from Aston Villa.
Ings has joined the London club for an undisclosed fee, understood to be around £12 million, until the summer of 2025.
The 30-year-old is eligible for an immediate debut in Saturday’s crunch home meeting with fellow strugglers Everton.
“I’m really excited to join West Ham United,” said Ings. “It’s important I settle in as quickly as I can do – and do the important stuff on the pitch for West Ham.
“We’ve got some massive games ahead of us – and I’ve come here to try and score as many goals as I can to help the team to get some positive results.
“I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Manager David Moyes had previously stated he would not be making too many moves in the January transfer window, but acted after his goal-shy side slipped into the relegation zone.
“I’m really pleased to add Danny to the squad,” he said.
“He is a proven Premier League goalscorer and will add great competition for places in the attacking third.
“We’re looking forward to integrating him into the group, as we go into a busy period in our season.”
Meanwhile, Chris Wood has become Nottingham Forest’s 24th signing of the season after joining on loan from Newcastle.
The 31-year-old will spend the rest of the campaign at the City Ground and the move will become a permanent one until the summer of 2024 if certain conditions are met.
He leaves St James’ Park after 12 months, having joined from Burnley for £25million and played a big part in Newcastle’s survival.
But he has fallen down the pecking order behind Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak and will get regular action under Steve Cooper at Forest following a long-term injury to Taiwo Awoniyi.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is hopeful he can replace Wood, warning that the striker’s move could leave the team “dangerously short of players”.
“He’s been a huge player for us,” Howe said.
“I have to say he has been outstanding in every way because I think when we signed him we were in a very difficult league position, he’s played a huge part on the pitch to transform the team or help transform the team.
“Then this season he’s been excellent both on and off the pitch in terms of his leadership and positivity and when he’s not played, so you can’t underestimate the role he’s played.
“It was a difficult decision, taking into account the player and his wishes, but also I think it’s a good deal financially for the football club.”
Wood’s departure will leave Newcastle with Isak and Wilson as their forward options and Howe stressed a new addition in the January transfer window must be “the right player”.
