West Ham United have confirmed that striker Dean Ashton has hung up his boots at the age of 26 due to a long-term injury.
Ashton has failed to recover from a long-term ankle problem which he initially sustained while training with the England squad in 2006.
The £7.2 million signing from Norwich City in January 2006 has undergone a variety of rehabilitation procedures but none proved successful.
He has been advised by the surgeon who performed the original operation, Niek van Dijk, that he risks rendering himself permanently unable to walk should he continue playing football.
His retirement is not a surprise but it is still a massive blow for West Ham, who badly need a player of his quality up front.
West Ham CEO Scott Duxbury told the club's official website: "This is a sad day and our thoughts are with Dean.
"I would like to place on record our thanks to him for all his efforts and wish him the very best.
"I would also like to thank the fans for their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time."
Ashton made just 56 appearances for the Hammers, bagging 19 goals.
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Ashton has failed to recover from a long-term ankle problem which he initially sustained while training with the England squad in 2006.
The £7.2 million signing from Norwich City in January 2006 has undergone a variety of rehabilitation procedures but none proved successful.
He has been advised by the surgeon who performed the original operation, Niek van Dijk, that he risks rendering himself permanently unable to walk should he continue playing football.
His retirement is not a surprise but it is still a massive blow for West Ham, who badly need a player of his quality up front.
West Ham CEO Scott Duxbury told the club's official website: "This is a sad day and our thoughts are with Dean.
"I would like to place on record our thanks to him for all his efforts and wish him the very best.
"I would also like to thank the fans for their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time."
Ashton made just 56 appearances for the Hammers, bagging 19 goals.
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