• 33-year-old leaving after club decided against new contract
• Former Villarreal striker says: ‘The club told me ‘bye bye”

The Mexico striker Guillermo Franco has confirmed that he is leaving West Ham. Franco scored five goals in 21 Premier League games for West Ham but his one-year contract expires at the end of June and the club have told him they will not offer a new deal.

“The club told me ‘bye bye’, so I won’t be with West Ham next season,” said Franco.

The 33-year-old forward joined West Ham in September after he was released by the Spanish club Villarreal. Franco added that he enjoyed his time with West Ham but that he is now focused on the World Cup.

Franco scored Mexico’s goal in Monday’s 3-1 friendly defeat to England. He injured a toe in the match but expects to be fit for the tournament.

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• Co-owners pay £8m for further 10% shareholding
• ‘Our aim is to ensure our club enjoys a stable future’

West Ham’s co-owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, have today increased their stake in the club to 60%. Sullivan and Gold, who previously owned Birmingham City, bought West Ham from financially-stricken Icelandic group CB Holdings in January.

They have both increased their share of the club to 30% from 25% at a cost of £8m, with £4m going to CB Holdings and the other half to the club.

Sullivan said on the club’s website: “Myself and David Gold are, like you, West Ham United fans and our aim is to ensure our club enjoys a stable and successful future.

“To this end, we have both invested a further £4m to increase our shareholding to 30% each.”

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West Ham United’s search for the single point that will absolutely guarantee their Premier League status continues against a Fulham side that will either be energised by Thursday’s Europa League success, or just knackered. A certain amount of squad rotation is to be expected. Bobby Zamora, with an achilles injury to nurse and a showpiece final now to aim for, is unlikely to be risked against his former club, but West Ham’s Luís Boa Morte could make a first appearance of the season against his. Gianfranco Zola will hope his team can achieve in their last away game something they last managed in their first: a win. Simon Burnton

Venue Craven Cottage, Sunday 3pm Tickets £45-£60 (0870 442 1234) Last season Fulham 1 West Ham 2 Referee A Marriner

This season’s matches 26 Y96, R9, 4.04 cards per game

Odds Fulham 13-10 West Ham 12-5 Draw 12-5

Fulham

Subs from Zuberbühler, Kelly, Baird, Smalling, Shorey, Stoor, Andranik,

Greening, Riise, Dikgacoi, E Johnson, Nevland, Elm, Okaka

Doubtful None

Injured Zamora (achilles, 12 May), A Johnson (knee, Aug) Suspended None

Form guide LDDWLL

Disciplinary record Y43 R1

Leading scorer Zamora 8

West Ham United

Subs from Stech, Kurucz, Gabbidon, Daprela, Tomkins, Spence, Boa Morte, Stanislas, Diamanti, Franco, Mido, McCarthy

Doubtful Boa Morte (match fitness)

Injured Hines (knee, Aug), Collison (ankle, Aug), Dyer (hamstring, Aug), Ilunga (thigh, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide WLWDLL Disciplinary record Y63 R3

Leading scorer Cole 9

Match pointers

• Fulham have failed to win their last 11 London derbies

• The Cottagers won their first Premier League match against West Ham but have failed to win at their last 12 attempts

• Conversely, West Ham have won none of their last six league London derbies away from home and have lost the last four in a row

• West Ham have not conceded a goal away from home and won since December 2008

• Carlton Cole has scored in his last three Premier League appearances against Fulham

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