Dean Ashton (born 24 November 1983 in Swindon, Wiltshire) is a retired English professional footballer (Association football). He made over 240 appearances as a forward in the Football League (The Football League) and Premier League for Crewe Alexandra (Crewe Alexandra F.C.), Norwich City (Norwich City F.C.) and fcWest Ham United, and was also capped by England (England national football team). He was highly praised as a talented centre forward, but had a career frustrated by injury. He retired on 11 December 2009, aged 26, after failing to recover from a long-term ankle injury sustained on England duty at the hands of Shaun Wright-Phillips.