Sturridge joins West Brom on loan to boost W-Cup hopes

LONDON: Alan Pardew has completed a stunning swoop for Liverpool’s England World Cup hopeful Daniel Sturridge (pic).

Hitman Sturridge is has joined on loan deal for the remainder of the season.

It will gives the West Bromwich Albion a major shot in the arm in their battle to avoid relegation.

Pardew moved to complete the unexpected coup as West Brom hurriedly set up Sturridge’s medical – while his former club Newcastle failed to get out of the starting blocks.

The Baggies boss said: “I hope our fans can understand that we are fighting to stay in the (English) Premier League, not just on the pitch but in the market place as well.

“This is a big coup for us and I speak for my staff and my players and say ‘ thank you’ to Daniel for agreeing to assist us in League and Cup.

“He has fantastic talent and will strengthen our ambitions on both fronts.”

Sturridge added: “This felt like the right fit. I’ve got friends here I’ve played with before.

“The manager spoke very well, the challenge with the team and the style of play.

I just felt this was the right fit for me.”

Reports made the Magpies favourites to land the outoffavour Anfield ace.

However, the Baggies’ negotiating team left their relegation rivals red and buried as they nipped in to agree terms with Liverpool and the player’s representatives.

News of Pardew’s deal will have left Rafa Benitez more purplefaced than redfaced at his club’s latest failure to strengthen his relegationthreatened squad – especially as he lost out to a direct relegation rival.

And Baggies chairman John Williams pulling off the Sturridge deal rivals Steve Clarke’s shock move to bring Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea in 2012.

Lukaku smashed in 17 goals that season as West Brom finished eighth.

And if Sturridge manages even half that total it will easily repay the £2mil (RM11mil) loan fee Liverpool have set – and Sturridge’s £130,000 (RM711,000)aweek wages.

The Birminghamborn striker was anxious to complete his move to the Hawthorns before today’s transfer deadline, having previously been courted by Serie A giants Inter Milan and La Liga side Sevilla.

Sturridge has not appeared for Juergen Klopp’s side since coming on as substitute in the 70 hammering of Spartak Moscow on Dec 6.

A combination of niggling injuries and the form of Roberto Firmino has left him out in the cold at Anfield and in danger of missing the plane to Russia for this summer’s World Cup.

Now he plans to kickstart a hugely frustrating season by helping Pardew keep West Brom in the Premier League.