GWENT duo James Collins and Danny Gabbidon have left Cardiff City to join Premiership new-boys West Ham United, adding to the Welsh contingent at Upton Park.
Newport-born Collins, 21, and Cwmbran's Gabbidon, 25, have both signed long-term deals with the Hammers and will report to pre-season training tomorrow.
The deal to take them to Upton Park is undisclosed, but is thought to be for around £3.2 million, with possible further payments based on appearances and Premiership survival.
Both players will now link up with fellow Wales Internationals Carl Fletcher and Gavin Williams at Upton Park. Gabbidon began his career at West Bromwich Albion, before joining the Bluebirds for £175, 000 in September 2000 making 217 appearances for the Ninian Park outfit.
He made his international debut for Wales against the Czech Republic in March 2002 and has since become a key member of the international side, winning 17 caps.
Collins graduated from the Cardiff City youth system to make his first-team debut in November 2000 against Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup, aged 17.
He went on to establish himself in the Bluebirds first-team last term, displacing Australian international Tony Vidmar.
Collins made 85 appearances for Cardiff and has won five full caps for Wales, the first of which came in May 2004 against Norway.
While Gabbidon will almost certainly start the season as first choice, Collins is likely to be vying with Elliot Ward, Christian Dailly and Anton Ferdinand for a starting berth.
l Former Spurs star Simon Davies is urging his new Everton boss David Moyes to waste no time in signing £6million Newcastle bad-boy Craig Bellamy.
Bellamy has been given an extra week's holiday to find a new club, after skipper Alan Shearer threatened to 'knock his head off' if he returned to the club after Bellamy allegedly sent derogatory text messages to Shearer after they were beaten in the FA Cup.
Welsh cap Davies said: "Craig is a great lad and would be a great addition to the squad, because he wants to win so much, his attitude is an asset and quality to have in your team."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article