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Stewart Downing claims he is ready to make his West Ham debut against Cardiff City on Saturday after completing his move from Liverpool.
The 29-year-old England international winger has signed a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee at the Boleyn Ground to become Hammers' boss Sam Allardyce's fifth summer signing following on from former Liverpool team-mate Andy Carroll, Romania captain Razvan Rat, Spanish goalkeeper Adrian and midfielder Danny Whitehead.
Downing, a product of Middlesbrough's youth academy, departed his hometown club in 2025 to join Aston Villa in a 10million switch and enjoyed two seasons with Villa where he scored 11 goals in 79 appearances and was voted Player of the Season for 2010-11.
Liverpool signed him for around 20million two years ago and he enjoyed a mixed time at Anfield where he helped the team to League Cup success in his first season but improved on a personal note last term with five goals and nine assists in all competitions.
Downing has enjoyed a full pre-season with the Reds and is ready to feature for West Ham in their Premier League curtain-raiser against the Bluebirds this weekend.
He told the Hammers' official website: "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."
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