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West Ham United's Dean Ashton has been forced to retire through injury. The 26-year-old striker has struggled to recover from an injury he first suffered on England duty in August 2006 following a training-ground tackle with Shaun Wright-Phillips.
West Ham's chief executive, Scott Duxbury, told the club's official website: "This is a sad day and our thoughts are with Dean. I would like to place on record our thanks to him for all his efforts and wish him the very best. I would also like to thank the fans for their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time."
It was reported last night that Ashton is looking into whether he can take legal action against Wright-Phillips and Chelsea, for whom the winger – now with Manchester City – was then playing. Chelsea would challenge any such case given that the tackle was made while Wright-Phillips was with England.
Ashton returned the following year to play again for West Ham and went on to win his sole England cap in 2008 but the ankle injury recurred last season and he has been advised by the surgeon who performed the original operation, Niek van Dijk, that he risks rendering himself permanently unable to walk should he continue playing football.
West Ham have been examining whether they are able to launch a compensation claim of around £7m against the Football Association.
Ashton made his name at Crewe Alexadra before joining Norwich City in January 2005. He scored 18 goals in 46 appearances for the Canaries, earning him a then club-record £7.25m move to West Ham. He was named in Steve McClaren's first England squad, for the game against Greece at Old Trafford, but picked up his injury in training before the game. . The striker missed the whole 2006/07 season but returned to make 35 appearances in 2007/08. He started the 2008/09 season, but broke down again after just four games because of the ankle injury.
sad story. if i'm not mistaken, i remember him scoring a stunner against manure in a match where west ham let in a few goals. but his goal was worth the match, a beautiful volley.
sad story really. retiring at 26. damn man, you're unluckier than rosicky
It's not old news, it was confirmed this morning. A rumour has been circulating for a while, but I'm sure the same thing happened with Ljungberg when he was at Arsenal.
was it a friendly game for england? cant remember. he prob always dreamed of playing for england and that dream cost him his career. its a shame he was decent.
west ham spent alot of money on him aswell with no return>
