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Harewood has scored 12 goals this season

West Ham completed a �500,000 deal for Nottingham Forest striker Marlon Harewood, but denied it means Jermain Defoe is set to leave..

Harewood, who has scored 12 goals this season, would have been out of contract with Forest at the end of the season and declined an offer of a new deal.

The 24-year-old becomes the sixth striker in the West Ham first-team squad.

But director Trevor Brooking denies speculation surrounding Defoe means his departure is guaranteed.

"That would be an automatic reaction but the fact is it is another striker that gives us extra strength and Marlon is someone Jermain can play with," Brooking told the club's official site.

"He is a useful addition to the squad and goal scoring has been more of a problem than the defensive side, apart from the West Brom game which we won't dwell on.

"It gives us six strikers and the option to play three up front, and the options to score more consistently.

"He was out of contract this summer so it was a good time to go in."