The uncertainty surrounding around the future of Andy Carroll is over, after Liverpool announced the £35 million ($55 million) striker would spend the rest of the season on loan at West Ham United.
The London club will also have the option of making the move permanent at the end of the season, for a fixed fee, believed to be £18 million ($28.4 million), which has already been agreed between both clubs.
Carroll had, initially, turned down the chance of a move to the Hammers, saying he wanted to fight for his place at Anfield, and even if he were to move, it would only be for a club that will play European football this season.
Newcastle United were interested in bringing back their striker, but did not put forward anywhere near the amount offered by West Ham, and with it scuppering any chances of a move back to St James' Park.
"It's great to be here at West Ham and all signed up -- I just can't wait to get started now," Carroll told West Ham's official website. "I want to be playing games and obviously hoping to score some goals.
"I know the manager well and some of the lads, so it is nice for me to come to a place where I know people.
"I'm hoping to add a lot of goals and create a few chances. I know Sam (Allardyce) from Newcastle and he was a massive reason for me coming. When I worked with him at Newcastle it was great so it was a no-brainer really."
Allardyce was also relieved to finally seal the signing, with the Newcastle manager keen to make Carroll the focal point of his attacking game. "I think for all parties this is a great signing," Allardyce said. "Andy is an all-round footballer, but because he is 6'3" and one of his strengths is his aerial power, everybody dismisses the ability he possesses on the floor.
"Hopefully he can score goals for us and we will be in a very good position at the end of the year in the Barclays Premier League."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admitted Carroll had decided to leave Anfield after the manager could not guarantee the 23-year-old a place in the starting XI. "I have had conversations and good communication with Andy right the way through the summer," Rodgers told reporters. "I have spoken with all the players and made them aware of where I felt they stood within the group.
"Andy wanted this to be a season where he was going to be playing regularly, and obviously I couldn't guarantee that.
"He's got the chance to go and play and demonstrate his qualities. It allows us to move on and then we'll assess it over the course of the season.
"He wants game time. He's a good guy, has worked well in training, but I can only pick 11 players and I've got some wonderful talents here like Luis Suarez."
Meanwhile, Manchester City defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong has flown to Italy to try and complete a permanent move to AC Milan. De Jong has fallen down the pecking order at City, with the Dutch international keen to find a way out of the Etihad in search of first-team opportunities.
"De Jong is on his way to Milan," the Italian club announced on their official TV channel. "The medical will be performed tomorrow (Friday)."
