McCarthy parts ways with West Ham

South Africa international Benni McCarthy is finally out the door at West Ham United after having his contract terminated by mutual consent.

McCarthy, 33, arrived at Upton Park in a 2.2-million-pound move from Blackburn Rovers in last January’s transfer window but proved a costly failure at his new club.

The Bafana Bafana striker went goalless in 14 appearances with the Hammers, was fined 200,000 pounds for ongoing weight issues and soon found himself down manager Avram Grant’s pecking order.

He was left out of Grant’s 25-man squad for the second half of the English Premier League season following the transfer-window arrivals of Robbie Keane and Demba Ba, spelling the end of his short, fruitless spell at the East London club.

“West Ham United have mutually agreed with Benni McCarthy to part company with immediate effect,” a short statement on the club’s website read.

“The club would like to wish Benni the best for the future.”

According to English media, McCarthy would have received a further 2.3 million pounds had he opted to sit out his contract until its expiry in June of next year, but instead will walk away with a lump sum payment of 1.5 million pounds and the chance to restart his career elsewhere.

West Ham had attempted to send the former Porto attacker out on loan in January but failed to attract a suitor in the Championship.