New Hammers signing Terry Dixon has vowed to repay the club for giving him the chance to salvage his top-flight career

New Hammers signing Terry Dixon has vowed to repay the club for giving him the opportunity to salvage his top-flight career at Upton Park.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international sealed an incredible return to professional football last week by joining West Ham on a three-year deal - only 12 months after a string of horrendous injuries appeared to have finished his career.

Dixon was heralded as one of the brightest young stars of British football when he received a senior international call-up as 16-year-old in 2006, yet he was released by Tottenham in March last year following a persistent knee problem.

Now Dixon has returned to fitness with the help of West Ham's medical staff and the striker is determined to repay the club for giving him another chance to build on the potential that made him one of Ireland's most prodigious talents at underage level.

He said: "I'm pleased to have signed the contract. The fitness team have done a lot of work with me to make my leg a lot stronger and my knee never swells up now.

"I'm just glad West Ham took the chance on me and hopefully it will pay off. My aims for the season are to get matches under my belt for the reserves and hopefully I can get into the first-team squad.

"I want to repay the faith the club have shown in me, if not this season, then the season after.