West Ham will formally announce the retirement of striker Dean Ashton this week.

The 26-year old has been suffering from an ongoing ankle problem that he first sustained about three years ago and has been told to retire from football by medical experts.

The retirement announcement has been delayed whilst the Hammers sort out the best way to help Ashton receive the best payment outcome and help reduce his tax liabilities although it has become very public what Ashton's future in the game is.

Ashton begun his career with Crewe Alexandra in 2000 before moving onto Norwich City in 2005.

In January 2006 he signed with West Ham where he has remained ever since but his playing time has been cut significantly short in recent years due to the ankle injury.