Short and sweet

Nicky Maynard has completed a £2.5million move to Championship club Cardiff City.

The former Bristol City striker spent just seven months as a Hammer having signed on transfer deadline day in January of this year when United paid £2million for his services.

Speaking on cardiffcityfc.co.uk tonight, 25-year-old Maynard said: "I moved to West Ham with the hope of playing in the Premier League regularly, but that wasn't to be.

"Knowing that my chances would be limited there at Upton Park, it was down to me to find a club where I knew I'd be happy to play. It's my aim to play week in week out, which I hope to achieve by playing well for Cardiff City.

"The West Ham fans didn't see too much of me, which can happen in football," he added. "I didn't get my chance to play regularly, but whenever I did the West Ham fans were fantastic to me.

"I'm sorry on one hand that things didn't work out for me there, but also really excited at the prospect of building a new relationship with the Cardiff City faithful who are always loud and passionate for their club."

Maynard made just ten starts for West Ham during his time at the club, scoring four times.