WEST HAM defender Danny Gabbidon has revealed he feels like his 'arm has been cut off' following the departure of close friend and Wales international team-mate James Collins to Aston Villa.
Collins completed his £5million move to Villa Park on deadline day of the summer transfer window last week, and while Gabbidon insists Martin O'Neill has found himself a bargain, the 30-year-old centre-half has been left devastated at the transfer.
"I have lost my mate, my best man at my wedding, a real pal. I feel like I have had my right arm cut off," said Gabbidon.
"I'm disappointed he has gone, he has done really well for West Ham. Villa have got themselves a very good player. He will go on to do better things for them.
"The club needed to bring in a striker and they needed to sell before they could do that. In defence we have got plenty of cover and the club felt they could let James go.
"Villa have also signed Richard Dunne, and their fans will be talking about that. But by the end of the season they will be talking about James."
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