In the last hour it has been confirmed that West Ham have re-signed midfielder Lee Bowyer.
The 29-year-old midfielder spent six months with the Hammers during the 02/03 relegation season, but failed to make an impact largely due to a succession of injuries.But with next season's extra games very much in mind Alan Pardew has decided to re-sign a player whose career thus far has been shrouded by controversy.
Bowyer - who joins from Newcastle on a free plus sell-on clause - made his name at Charlton but forged his way into the England set-up after moving to Leeds, where he enjoyed the best form of his career.
Following a collapsed £9m move to Liverpool he eventually joined the Hammers in a £100,000 deal in January 2003 as Glenn Roeder fought to stave off relegation. After that ended in failure Bowyer returned North once again to join Newcastle, where he has spent the last three seasons.
Bowyer - who earned a reported £45,000 per week at Newcastle - is thought to have seen his wages halved by re-joining the Hammers. But he claimed tonight that his real incentive in returning to his 'home' club was anything but financial.
"I loved my time at Newcastle - but this is my club," he told whufc.com.
"I didn't play well last time. I had a bad ankle injury and kept playing on it which was to nobody's benefit. I see this as unfinished business - I want to show the Hammers fans what I can do.
"When Alan Pardew came in for me there was never going to be any other outcome. I used to come to games with my dad, Dave.
"Billy Bonds was my hero and I guess I modelled my game on him. He won honours at West Ham and now I want to do the same.
" With the current side there is no reason why that shouldn't happen. I am desperate to do well for West Ham."
We'll have more on Bowyer's return soon.
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