James completes City move

David James has completed his transfer from West Ham to Manchester City.

The 33-year-old England goalkeeper has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract after passing a medical this morning.

James comes in as an immediate replacement for former England number one David Seaman, who announced his retirement yesterday.

"I didn't expect things to go so quickly," James told Sky Sports News. "It's happened in the last 24 hours.

"Yesterday morning there were rumours brewing. David injured his shoulder on Saturday and because of the speculation last season that draws your attention.
"But it was yesterday after training when the gaffer, Alan Pardew, pulled me and had a chat with me.

"I had to think twice about leaving West Ham. It's been really good. We had a bad season last season but as a club it was fantastic. The staff were really good and I genuinely had to have a serious think about coming up here."

James, who has spent six months in the Nationwide League following West Ham's relegation last season, now looks set to make his Premiership return against Blackburn at Eastlands on Saturday.

City had been short of experienced cover for Seaman all season and his injury last weekend hastened manager Kevin Keegan's attempts to bring in another keeper.

The situation had become a matter of urgency with City struggling for form after a 14-game run without a win.

James claims he has no thoughts on City's current form and believes he will quickly settle in after taking advice from former Liverpool team-mates Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler.

"I haven't really been following Premiership football this season," he added. "I was concentrating more on what I was doing but I spoke to Macca and Robbie and they said it was fantastic.

"It was a case of me going to a club where I could play better football."
James' arrival at City sees him hold the unique distinction of taking Seaman's place for both club and country after originally ousting the Yorkshire-born veteran from the England side last season.

"David Seaman is a hard act to follow but this is a great and exciting challenge for me," James told the club's official website, www.mcfc.co.uk.

"I don't envisage any problems settling in at City. I have worked with Kevin Keegan before with the England squad and know several of the lads from my days at Liverpool and West Ham.

"Everyone knows what a big club City is with fantastic facilities, great fans and great ambition.

"I am just pleased to be back in the Premiership and can't wait for my debut."