HAMMERS winger Matthew Etherington has completed his move to Stoke City.

The Potters have snapped up the 27-year-old on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee, as West Ham seek to trim the wage bill at Upton Park.

Etherington was the longest-serving member of the Irons' current squad having joined the club from Tottenham in 2003. But despite making his return from a six-week injury lay-off last weekend, he has chosen to take up a new challenge at the Britannia Stadium "I think there was some interest in the summer but nothing came of it,” said Etherington. "I had a few conversations with Tony Pulis and he was brilliant. He made me realise this was the right move."