The future of West Ham United?

14-year-old aspiring sports journalist Charlie Clayton is the latest writer to join our ever-expanding team of contributors. Young Charlie's KUMB.com debut examines the arrival of new signing Andy Carroll, and his potential importance to the team's future success...

Many great players have graced the pitch at Upton Park over the years but it's certainly been a while for us out-and-out Hammers.

Every season there seems to be a huge name on his way to the Boleyn but because of some complication or other, it always falls through. This season there has been a certain young Liverpool star in Big Sam's eyes - and yesterday, a season-long loan deal for Andy Carroll was confirmed. However is this a productive move for the club, or not?

If there's one thing we know about Brendan Rodgers' style of play it is that it hardly involves the ball off the ground. Ironically, the £35million striker is arguably the best aerial striker in the Premier League. So surely he'd be better off at a club who plays aerial football, right? Maybe someone like, I don't know...West Ham?

Although there are a handful of clubs who play this style of football, West Ham United were the only ones seriously interested in signing the 23-year-old. As a West Ham fan, I believe that Carroll could be the way forward ahead of Carlton Cole and the yet-to-impress Mobido Maiga. Very far forward indeed.

The 6'3" Gateshead-born, lifelong Toon fan scored his first professional goal in a friendly for Newcastle against Juventus. After that he just got better and better, being named in the Championship team of the year in the 2008-2009 season after Newcastle had been relegated to the second division. Defences around the county must have loathed the sight of the Magpies striker as he was the stand-out player lifting them back up to the Premier League, where they have remained since.

The first time everyone began to notice the English international was at Newcastle United where he netted an impressive 19 goals in his first season. He was then on every big club's radar but after months of speculation he went to Liverpool FC for an astounding £35million in January 2011.

His subsequent performances in the Premier League caught the attention of then England manager Fabio Capello and he was soon picked to represent his country in a friendly against France on 17th November 2010. Three weeks later he scored his first international goal against Ghana in a friendly at Wembley.

Naturally with a huge price on your shoulders comes huge expectation and there's debate over whether he was worth the money as he only scored 10 times in his first full season at Anfield. Personally I rate Big Andy very highly, but with the huge fee paid I believe he was overpriced.

Last week West Ham announced the signing of Matthew Jarvis from Wolves. I was very happy we signed the winger as he looks an unbelievable crosser and a very decent finisher. Last season Jarvis provided a few assists for Wolves including some headed goals. Now, which player in the Premier League can play in the air, has a wonderful heading ability and could make the most of Matt Jarvis' crosses? You've guessed it, Big Andy!

Any doubters over his heading ability should look no further than his powerful header against Sweden during the Euros - or his FA Cup winner against Everton.

Prior to the confirmation of his arrival at West Ham last night there had been much speculation over Carroll's future, including reports of £18million fee having been agreed between Liverpool and West Ham (with annual payments leading to a £36million deal overall). However, Gold and Sullivan spent a lot of money on Matt Jarvis so any permanent deal was always unlikely. I strongly believe that the loan deal eventually agreed looks the most beneficial.

Also, as West Ham fans we have come to expect world-class players coming along, showing the world that they are world-class players - and then leaving (Carlos Tevez). Although Tevez wasn't a loan deal, we didn't gain much from selling him; quite the opposite in fact! We all know he would have a fantastic season, then he'd leave and we'd be back to square one.

With Big Sam having confirmed the signings of Matt Jarvis, James Collins, Mobido Maiga, George McCartney, Alou Diarra, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Stephen Henderson and Mohammed Diame this summer - and the youth team shining very brightly - West Ham are certainly looking a stronger side than last season.

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to, KUMB.com.