(GSM) London based club West Ham United have stated that English striker Dean Ashton has hung up his boots due to a long-term injury.
The announcement was widely expected as Ashton had been unable to shake off an ankle injury, which had plagued his career since 2006, during a training session with the national team.
Ashton, who had joined the Hammers from Norwich City in 2006 for a £7.25 million fee, had made a promising start at Upton Park.
The forward s first season saw him net six times in 16 league and cup appearances, including two in an FA Cup quarter-final win over Manchester City and a goal in the final against Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium during the side s 3-3 draw.
This resulted in Ashton being called up for the England squad for a friendly against Greece at Old Trafford in August 2006 but the former Under-21 player suffered a badly broken ankle in training.
The Crewe Alexandra academy graduate missed the whole of 2006/07 but managed to return the following one, netting 11 times in 35 appearances.
A promising start to the 2008/09 season, which included a double against Wigan Athletic, the ankle problem persisted resulting into a premature retirement.
West Ham CEO Scott Duxbury said that he was immensely sad at seeing Ashton retire from the game but he wished his best to the player.
He said: 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.
