Hammers complete Mears signing
West Ham have confirmed the signing of defender Tyrone Mears from Preston North End for a fee that could rise to almost £2m (€2.88).
The 23-year-old right-back has agreed a four-year deal with the Premiership side for an initial fee of £1m (€1.44m) to become the Hammers’ second signing in quick succession after Carlton Cole moved across London from Chelsea.
The highly-rated defender could cost up to £1.9m (€2.74m) depending on appearances and future recognition at international level with England.
The Hammers had turned their attention to the Stockport-born player after attempts to sign Luke Young from Charlton fell through over the weekend. The Addicks had themselves identified Mears as a potential replacement for the England full-back.
Preston revealed they had turned down two bids from Charlton before agreeing a fee with West Ham manager Alan Pardew.
Mears began his career as a trainee at Manchester City but made just one first-team appearance when he came on as a substitute against Nottingham Forest in March 2002.
He then moved on to the Lilywhites for £200,000 (€288,110m) in July 2002, but the following two seasons were disrupted by injury.
He returned to full fitness for the 2005-06 campaign and was an integral part of the side which lost out to Leeds in the play-offs.
