Hartson in Hammers Return?

Last updated : 15 June 2005 By Gary Fish

Celtic and Wales international John Hartson has been linked with a move back to West Ham.

The 30-year old striker is believed to be unsettled at Parkhead following the separture of manager Martin O'Neill, and the sale of several players to Premiership clubs has fuelled rumours that former Arsenal, West Ham and Wimbledon player is considering a move back south.

Hartson had this most successful season to date with the Glasgow side last season, following the departure of Henrik Larsson to Barcelona, finishing the season as top goalscorer, while being voted Scottish Football Writers' Association player of the year and Scottish PFA's player of the year award with Rangers midfielder Fernando Ricksen.


It is believed that Hartson would welcome a move back South, and relish the opportunity of keeping Hammers in the Premiership, something he has already done with some distinction in the past when he signed for the Hammers from Arsenal in 1997, spending two years at the club before a

£7.5m move to Wimbledon.

Hartson has been influential since his arrival in Scotland in a £6m move from Coventry in August 2001, combining well with both Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson, winning the SPL twice.

Hartson was once the most expensive teenager in the country way back when as a 19-year old he was signed from Luton for £2.5m by Arsenal in Januray 1995.

Despite problems with fitness and a fiery temper in his younger days, something Hartson was criticised for, both have now improved with the Swansea-born striker now able to control his temper, while his fitness has seldom been a problem.

Every player seems to want to play in the Premiership and with a regieme change at Parkhead, Hartson may fancy a last chance to prove himself in the best league in the world having made public the fact he'd like to end his career with his home town Swansea in a few years time.