West Ham made an official statement to confirm out of favor goalie Stephen Henderson has been released
In a short statement WHUFC.com said:
“West Ham United can confirm that the Club and Stephen Henderson have reached a mutual agreement to terminate the goalkeeper’s contract and registration with immediate effect. Henderson joined the Hammers from Portsmouth, initially on loan, in March 2012, but was restricted to two League Cup appearances during his time at the Club and his release means he is now free to pursue opportunities elsewhere.West Ham United would like to thank Stephen for his efforts at the Club and wish him well for his future career.”
In March 2012, Henderson West Ham United on an emergency loan from Portsmouth until the end of the season. He was unused substitute for the 2012 Football League Championship play-off Final, a result that ensured West Ham made an immediate return to the Premier League.In May 2012, Henderson joined West Ham permanently on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his first team debut for West Ham on 28 August 2012 against Crewe Alexandra in the League Cup. West Ham won the match 2–0. He joined Championship club Ipswich Town on a three-month loan in October 2012 and made his debut in a 2–1 defeat at Hull City on 20 October. He made 16 appearances for Ipswich, and re-signed for the club on loan for the rest of the season on 31 January 2013.He was recalled to West Ham on 21 March 2013.
In October 2013 Henderson signed for Bournemouth on a three-month loan as cover for the suspended first choice goalkeeper Ryan Allsop and the injured second choice goalkeeper, Darryl Flahavan. In the second game of his loan spell, an away game against Nottingham Forest, Henderson dislocated his shoulder after colliding with Forest’s Simon Cox. He returned to West Ham for treatment for the injury which was expected to keep him out of football for six months.
Henderson was believed to have earned £20,000 per week at West Ham had a year remaining on his contract worth £1m. The usual practice to pay up 75% of that so he may have walked away from a £750,000 golden handshake.
In recent weeks Henderson was linked with Ipswich, Charlton and Brighton and Hove Albion but it appears his wage demands were too high with West Ham asked subsidise the majority of wages for season loan. This outcome means a clean break for the club and player.