Pardew freed by court to join West Ham

Alan Pardew was yesterday appointed manager of West Ham United - but will have to wait until 18 October to take up the post. The announcement was made after the Reading chairman, John Madejski, withdrew the threat of legal action for breach of contract once a compensation fee of £380,000 - about half the figure the Berkshire club are believed to have initially demanded - had been agreed.

Madejski, who had refused permission for Pardew to talk to his First Division rivals, had sought an injunction following his manager's subsequent resignation. Pardew, 42, was West Ham's first choice to replace the sacked Glenn Roeder.

The outcome means Pardew will quadruple his salary - from £150,000 to £600,000 - although it will be significantly less than that earned by Roeder. Until his arrival, caretaker manager Trevor Brooking will remain in place.

Speaking outside the High Court, Pardew said: "I'd like to send a message to the Reading fans thanking them for support and help in my period as manager. I think I've left a legacy that will continue to grow and I believe [caretaker-manager] Kevin Dillon would be the right choice to take them forward.

"I'm delighted I'm going to be West Ham manager," he added, "I know we face a tough task and need to get back into the Premiership. It's a daunting challenge - but I'm looking forward to it."

Explaining his move, the former Crystal Palace midfielder said: "It's not a decision I made quickly or rashly. It has been a hard, tortuous time but I could not get out of my mind the history and tradition of West Ham."

The Hammers' managing director, Paul Aldridge, said: "He was always our No 1 target, although it is unfortunate that his departure from Reading has caused so much acrimony."

Madejski had twice refused West Ham permission to talk to Pardew, who had a release clause in his four-year contract which only applied to Premiership clubs. Last night Madejski said that West Ham had agreed not to poach any Reading players or staff this season.