Dean Hammond

Dean John Hammond (born March 7 1983 in Hastings) is a United Kingdom football (soccer) player for Colchester United in the Coca-Cola league 1.

During the early stages of his career at Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., Dean had loan spells at lower league teams twice in 2003, first to Aldershot Town F.C. during September, and secondly to Leyton Orient F.C. in October. He was given a six-month ultimatum at the start of the 2004-05 season by then manager Mark McGhee, Hammond impressed and was awarded a new deal that summer.

At the beginning of the 2005-06 season he was handed the vacant number 11 shirt at the club, and became a first-team regular, either playing on the left hand side of midfield or in his preferred natural position of central midfield. In the 2006-07 season he was handed the captain's armband at the club after injuries to both Richard Carpenter (footballer) and Charlie Oatway. At the end of January 2007, Carpenter was released by Brighton & Hove Albion, so Hammond became the new official club captain.

At the start of the 2007/08 season, Hammond had one-year remaining on his contact at the Withdean Stadium, manager Dean Wilkins was keen to offer Hammond a new deal, with the club and representitives for the player beginning talks in October 2007. During January 2008, it was revealed that Hammond stated that he would only sign a new deal for the club if they showed the ambition of returning to the Football League Championship, Dick Knight truly responded with the £300,000 capture of striker Glenn Murray from Rochdale A.F.C.. Although this didn't persuade Dean that the club was moving forward and in the right direction, so therefore the club placed him on the transfer list with little more than a week of the transfer window remaining. On the 30 January, it was revealed that Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. had accepted an offer of £250,000 plus add-ons for the player. Hammond completed the deal the following day, moving to Colchester United.