---
title: "United striker completes West Ham move"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2016/07/12/united-striker-completes-west-ham-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Man Utd Transfer News"
published: "2016-07-12T18:38:26Z"
modified: "2016-07-12T18:38:26Z"
---

# United striker completes West Ham move

Manchester United striker Ashley Fletcher has signed a four-year contract with West Ham after his Reds contract expired in June.

The England Under-20 international opted to join Slaven Bilic’s side, despite interest from numerous clubs, including Championship sides Leeds United and Barnsley, where Fletcher spent time on loan last season.

Fletcher enjoyed a successful six-month loan spell with Tykes, scoring on two separate occasions at Wembley as Barnsley won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and secured promotion to the Championship via the play-offs.

![Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2016/07/535291826.jpg)

It seems that first-team football is the reason behind Fletcher’s departure, as he rejected a new contract from the Reds just before his contract expired on June 30.

The 20-year-old becomes the Hammers’ fourth signing of the summer, after the arrivals of Havard Nordtveit, Sofiane Feghouli and Gokhan Tore at the Olympic Stadium.

![Dan Mullan/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2016/07/518864692.jpg)

Fletcher [said](https://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/July/12-July/hammers-sign-prolific-striker) that he was excited to further his development in London:

> *I am very excited to be here. West Ham are a massive club and I am just happy that I can come and further my development here at West Ham.*
>
> *I think it is a club with a lot of ambition. They have a lot of good players and it was a special final season. They managed to finish the campaign very well.*
>
> *West Ham are a club built on traditions of giving youngsters a run and hopefully I can get my chance as well.*

The striker is the third man to exit United today, after Under-18 defender Tyler Reid joined Swansea City and Under-21 midfielder Joe Rothwell joined Oxford United.