Henderson seals permanent Hammers move

West Ham have turned Stephen Henderson's loan spell into a permanent deal following their return to the Premier League.

The Pompey keeper watched from the bench as Ricardo Vaz Te’s late goal in Saturday’s play-off final clinched a 2-1 victory over Blackpool.

That match signalled the end of the emergency loan deal which began back in early March.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As agreed at the time, it has now been turned into a £600,000 transfer, with Pompey potentially receiving 15-per-cent of his future sale.

Henderson, who signed a four-year deal at Upton Park, will now challenge Robert Green for the number one spot in the Premier League next season.

Green himself is out of contract this summer.

But West Ham joint-owner David Gold believes the England man will stay at Upton Park.

Despite Henderson’s presence, the club are to open negotiations with the 32-year-old, who has been selected by Roy Hodgson for his Euro 2012 squad.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the meantime, some former Pompey players helped the Hammers back into the top flight, just 12 months after their relegation.

Gary O’Neil and Matt Taylor both started the Wembley match and followed in the footsteps of the Blues’ 2002-03 promotion.

O’Neil has been regularly involved in Sam Allardyce’s side since recovering from a serious ankle injury at the turn of the year.

Taylor, 30, has been a key figure in the West Ham side following his summer arrival.

The left-sided player has made 32 appearances, scoring once.

Another former Pompey player, Papa Bouba Diop, 34, did not make the play-off final squad.