WEST Ham United has terminated Mauricio Taricco's contract by mutual agreement. The Argentine defender, who signed on a free transfer from Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last week, offered to pull out of the deal following an injury sustained against Millwall that is likely to keep him on the sidelines for up to eight weeks.
Mauricio, who suffered a hamstring tear after 27 minutes at the
Den, was devastated when he learned just how serious the injury
was, especially as West Ham United had given him the chance to
resurrect his career after a frustrating time at Tottenham.
Tanno said: "I came to West Ham United to be of service to the
Club, and I obviously won't be able to contribute if I'm
having treatment for over two months.
"When I discovered the extent of the injury I was very unhappy about the situation so I approached Alan Pardew and offered to cancel the contract so the Club would not suffer a serious financial loss by paying wages to a player who had only played for them for less than half-an-hour. This will now give Alan Pardew the opportunity to spend the money on a fit player rather than to someone sitting around in the treatment room.
"Naturally I am upset because in my very short time at West Ham I was impressed by the friendly, family atmosphere at the Club. I'd like to wish them every success for the future and hope they achieve promotion this season."
Manager Alan Pardew, obviously disappointed to lose a player of
Taricco's experience so quickly, commented: "When Tanno
knew he was going to be out for so long, he felt very uncomfortable
about the situation and came to me offering to terminate his
contract. He didn't have to make that decision which shows that
his character and personality off the pitch is far removed from the
image sometimes portrayed.
"This is one of the most honest acts from a player that I have
experienced in all my years in the game."
Managing Director Paul Aldridge said: "We are very
disappointed to be losing Tanno after such a short period. On
behalf of everyone at West Ham United I certainly wish him a very
speedy recovery and hope he returns to the game early next
year."
• Taricco's Hammers first-team career
is not the shortest in the Club's history. Joey Beauchamp,
signed from Oxford United for £1 million in June 1994, never
made an official appearance for the Club. After his first day's
training at Chadwell Heath, the shy youngster told his new manager
Harry Redknapp that he simply could not cope with travelling to and
from his Oxford home.
After a couple of games in pre-season friendlies, Beauchamp finally got his wish and joined local Swindon Town in exchange for defender Adrian Whitbread and around £300,000.