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Shaka Hislop joins MLS side FC Dallas
West Ham United can confirm that Shaka Hislop has left the Club in order to embark upon a new career in the United States with MLS side FC Dallas.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper leaves after a successful second spell at Upton Park last season in which he made 16 Premiership appearances and rounded off his Hammers career by playing in the memorable FA Cup final clash against Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium.
The move comes just weeks after Shaka enjoyed the honour of appearing in the World Cup finals in Germany with Trinidad and Tobago, when he earned rave reviews for his inspirational performance in their opening game against Sweden and followed that up with a brave effort against Sven-Goran Eriksson's England.
Shaka originally arrived at Upton Park in the summer of 1998 on a free transfer from Newcastle United and spent four years under Harry Redknapp and then Glenn Roeder, making a total of 132 league and cup appearances, before moving on to join Harry again at Portsmouth in the summer of 2002.
After three years at Fratton Park, he seemed set to call time on his career in England, until Alan Pardew swooped to capture his signature following our promotion to the Premiership last year.
His move to the US ends a 14-year playing career in England, which has seen him make more than 400 senior appearances for Reading, Newcastle, Hammers and Portsmouth, play for the England under-21 and B international sides before returning his allegiance to Trinidad, and awarded a PFA Special Merit award in 2005 for his involvement in the 'Show Racism the Red Card' campaign, which he helped start in 1996.
Shaka, who spent four years in the States as a scholar at Howard University in Washington DC between 1988 and 1992, has signed an 18-month playing contract with FC Dallas, who are coached by former Northern Ireland international duo Colin Clarke and Steve Morrow, and include ex-Manchester United and Middlesbrough midfielder Mark Wilson in their playing ranks.
Shaka leaves Upton Park having made a great deal of friends during his time at the Club. West Ham United would like to thank him for his loyal service over the years and wish him and his family all the very best for their future life together in the US.
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July 5th, 2006
