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Stewart Downing has joined his boyhood club Middlesbrough on a four year deal for a fee believed to be £5.5 Million, rising to as much as £8 Million should the Championship team attain promotion to the Barclays Premier League. Not a bad bit of business for both clubs, Downing is 31 years old next week, so to have recouped their initial outlay and remove a large earner of the books, Hammers seem to have done rather well.

West Ham United: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Nolan (c), Tomkins, Jarvis, Zarate, Noble, O'Brien, Maiga, Amalfitano
Subs: Randolph, Collins, Poyet, Hendrie, Samuelsen, Lee, Pike

Birkirkara FC: Haber, Mazzetti, Fenech (c), Miccoli, Vukanac, Murga, Liliu, J.Zerafa, Z. Muscat, R.Muscat
Subs: Sciberras, Agius, Plut, Akpan, D.Zerafa, Zammir, Aquilina

Hammers line up looks a little like a shop window!

Raheem Sterling's transfer from Liverpool to Manchester City will net QPR around £9 Million as a result of the 20% sell on fee that was negotiated at the time of his transfer from the west London club to Anfield. This massive cash bonus will enable QPR to maintain their stance over Austin's £15 Million valuation, not good news for those clubs, including West Ham, who were hoping to take advantage of QPR's relegation and financial plight.