Valon Behrami is down to business at Chadwell Heath as he prepares to
impress with West Ham United
24.07.2008
Valon Behrami already knows a lot about West Ham United and that includes
the club's loyal and devoted fans.
The Switzerland international, who has just put pen to paper on a five-year
contract, got to see a little of what the club is about when he played for
Lazio against West Ham United in last season's pre-season tour of Austria.
"At Lazio, the supporters are very passionate and let you know what they
think, good and bad, he said. "But I remember there being so many supporters
from West Ham at the match last year who came to see the team. They seemed
very passionate too.
"I am very much looking forward to playing in front of them at the stadium
this season as I am told the atmosphere is very good," Behrami added.
Derbies against Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur will hold no surprises for the
23-year-old as he has experienced the excitement of capital clashes with
Lazio against their fierce Serie A rivals Roma.
Scoring a last-gasp goal to secure a 3-2 win in last March's derby helped
preserve his name in Lazio folklore and he is firmly aware of what it will
mean to help West Ham United also come out on top in such contests. "I know
of the importance to win every match, but derbies are very special as I
found out when I scored the winning goal against Roma.
"I just got the most amazing reaction and will never forget that," he
recalled. "I know that there many matches like this in the Premier League
and I cannot wait to get involved in these matches for West Ham." Behrami
also knows about his new team-mates, having played against Matthew Upson
when England met Switzerland at Wembley last February and before that
against Julien Faubert in a European Under-21 Championship qualifier against
France.
He added: "I know that there are very good players here, like Craig Bellamy
and Dean Ashton and many more who I am looking forward to playing alongside.
While most of the players are away on the tour, I will be at the training
ground working hard so I can be in the best condition to start work with
everyone when they return."
Behrami was also given some inside information about West Ham United from a
former club favourite, Paolo Di Canio. The pair met at Lazio and the 6'1
player said the Italian maestro talked fondly of his time here and of
English football in general. "I talked to Paolo many times. He talked a lot
about West Ham but also about football in this country and in particular the
Premier League. So that is why it is a dream come true for me and I am very
happy to be here."
He was born in Kosovo, but moved to Stabio, Switzerland with his family when
he was a child. After being capped at youth level, Behrami progressed to the
senior team and now has 15 caps. He started all three games of his country's
matches at Euro 2008 this summer. "I enjoyed playing in the European
Championships, it was good for me. I had a little rest afterwards but since
the championships finished, all I have wanted to do is sort out my move here
and look to getting myself fit and ready to play for West Ham."
Now that the formalities have been completed, Behrami is looking ahead to
achieving much at the Boleyn Ground. "I look at the Premier League and see
that beautiful football is played here. I want to now experience that with
West Ham," he said. "Last year the team had an unlucky season with injuries,
but still played well.
"West Ham have brilliant prospects for the future and that was one of the
very important things for me in making the decision to come here and play. I
am an ambitious person who has goals and I want to play for a team who wants
to win things and I can see that ambition is here at the club."
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Beckham reunited with United - WHUFC
David Beckham has always had a connection to West Ham United and cannot wait
to face the club again
23.07.2008
David Beckham has exclusively told whufc.com that he is relishing the
prospect of taking on West Ham United in the MLS All-Star Game on Thursday.
The England midfielder has a good record against the club dating back to his
time with Manchester United. Perhaps chief among those old memories is his
last appearance at the Boleyn Ground. On 16 March 2003, Beckham scored the
first and last goals as the Reds turned on the style in a rousing contest to
win 5-3. He cannot wait to again take on the team that were just a stone's
throw from his boyhood home of Leytonstone as he started out as a young
footballer in London.
"I am looking forward to it," Beckham said on the eve of a
highly-anticipated encounter. "I always liked playing against West Ham,
especially being an East End boy as well. I played against them few times
with Manchester United. I always especially liked playing at Upton Park,
because it is a place obviously near my house and near where I come from.
Also, I usually score against West Ham at Upton Park which is always nice!"
Beckham left the Premier League back in summer 2003 to join Real Madrid
before last year's switch to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Unsurprisingly he is
one of Major League Soccer's shining lights and will be a star turn at the
BMO Field in Toronto. He will come up against fellow internationals like
Robert Green, Scott Parker and Dean Ashton and is excited by the challenge.
"It is great to be involved in this game and it is always nice to play
against good players and a good team."
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Excitement builds in Canada - WHUFC
The atmosphere is building in Toronto with West Ham United ready to take
centre stage on Thursday
23.07.2008
West Ham United take on the Major League Soccer All-Stars on Thursday night
with Alan Curbishley ready for a major occasion in a true "sporting city".
Toronto is the place to be in the sporting right now world with soccer
superstar David Beckham, NBA great Steve Nash, elite golfer Mike Weir and
tennis masters Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer among those in the city. With
major broadcasters and leading media outlets all converging on the team
hotel, there seems to be a camera crew or press photographer at every turn -
with autograph hunters not far behind.
Alan Curbishley and his players are relishing the spotlight. Having had an
afternoon off on Tuesday to take in some of the sporting sights along with a
trip to Niagara Falls and even an Eagles concert, the squad are ready to
become the main attraction themselves. "Ever since the game was programmed
in, the feedback has been wait until you get to Toronto....," said the
manager. "It is a sporting city and we have found that out in the last
couple of days with so many events going on. The atmosphere around the city
at the moment is second to none."
As West Ham United fans roll in to town and with a sell-out crowd expected
at the impressive BMO Field, there is plenty of excitement ahead of the
kick-off. "We have heard about the [passion of the] Toronto fans and we saw
a bit of it yesterday. We are looking forward to it. Our fans get behind the
team as well so we are looking forward to it. No matter how many games you
play and how experienced you are this is a new experience for us. We have
really enjoyed the week so far and would like to finish it with a result
against the MLS."
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Deano praise for All-Star Game - WHUFC
Speaking to a packed press conference, Dean Ashton has spoken positively
about football's growing appeal
23.07.2008
Dean Ashton believes Major League Soccer is ready to go from strength to
strength with the Beckham factor a huge plus for the game in North America.
The West Ham United striker was speaking at the official pre-match media
conference held at Toronto FC's BMO Field, the superb setting for this
year's MLS All-Star Game featuring the best of the league's players on
Thursday. Ashton, who will be up against his England team-mate Beckham,
said: "Coming over here I was quite surprised at how big an event it is and
the media surrounding it."
When asked if he felt the notion of an All-Star game was an idea that could
catch on back in England given the rivalries between teams, he added: "I
can't see why something like that can't be good over in England. I think it
is a great event and we are definitely all looking forward to it. I don't
see why not, it is a great concept - especially for all the fans to see all
their best players together in one team. I don't see why not but whether it
will happen is another matter."
"David Beckham coming over here has made the MLS a lot bigger in England so
everyone is talking about it and younger players want to come over now. It
is a great lifestyle and the football is getting better and better all the
time. The feedback from all the players back to England is that it is an
upcoming league and somewhere to be."
Of his international colleague, Ashton added: "David Beckham is huge all
over the world. He has definitely lifted the profile of the MLS. A lot of
people were surprised that he did come over here. They felt like he could
still play part in European football but it has shown already that he has
made a great decision. He has definitely helped the MLS and helped the
profile in England as well."
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Lucas looks ahead - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2008
By: Staff Writer
Club captain Lucas Neill has been looking ahead to tonight's clash with the
MLS AllStars in Toronto. The 30-year-old Australian is in Canada with the
rest of the 22-man squad in preparation for the prestige friendly, which
kicks-off at midnight GMT. Talking about the match, he told reporters:
"We're close to 70/80 minutes of good footballing stamina. It's going to be
a tough game for us, I think later on in the game we'll probably look a
little bit jaded. "But I think the adrenaline and the excitement that
surrounds the game will keep us going. There's a lot at stake,
trans-Atlantic pride. "We've got some of our weapons back so we're excited
now that we're going to have threats all over the field. We've got
goalscorers, pace down the wings and we can defend quite well. "If we can
put all that blend together it's going to be en exciting season for West
Ham."
Meanwhile, the opposition's most famous player - Leyton-born David Beckham,
who nows plies his trade for LA Galaxy in the MLS - said that he was
delighted to have the opportunity to play against United. "It's great,
being an East End boy, playing against West Ham so many times for Manchester
United and also scoring against West Ham - which didn't go down well with a
few friends," he joked. "They've got some good players. Of course, it's
great to play against good opposition and it will be a tough game. We're
looking forward to that. You always want to play against good players and
good teams and we're up against that."
MLS manager for the day, ex-Liverpool star Steve Nicol added that despite
its friendly status, his team would be going all out to beat the Hammers.
"This is a serious game," he said. "We want to do well, we want to show what
MLS players are made of and we want to put on a good show."
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Lastuvka keen on Hammers move - SSN
Shakhtar goalkeeper claims fee is holding up deal
By Vasek Kadlec Last updated: 23rd July 2008
Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka is hoping to secure a move to West
Ham United. Lastuvka, who spent a season on loan with Fulham, is eager to
return to the Premier League, but admits that negotiations between the two
clubs have stalled in recent days. The 26-year-old believes that the problem
has arisen with the two sides unable to agree on a fee for his services.
Lastuvka told CTK: "The offer from West Ham is there. The club wants me and
going back to the English league is definitely interesting and alluring.
"Unfortunately, the negotiations have become very complicated on certain
matters.
"I will not comment on any figures, but in general we were almost agreed
with West Ham when the transfer fee increased very much all of a sudden.
"Since Monday the discussions have appeared to me very strange and under
those conditions I don't rush into anything." There is still hope that a
deal will be concluded, but Lastuvka admits that the continued stalemate is
a concern. He added: "We have not ended the talks, they still go on, but we
cannot delay it much."
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Hammers - No mass exodus - SSN
Duxbury delighted with signing of Behrami
Last updated: 23rd July 2008
West Ham United's chief executive Scott Duxbury insists there will be no
'mass exodus' from Upton Park. Reports have claimed that Hammers boss Alan
Curbishley is looking to cull his squad of several first-team players over
the summer. But, following the signing of Valon Behrami from Lazio, Duxbury
claims the onus is on improving the squad at Curbishley's disposal. Duxbury
also revealed that the Hammers beat several clubs to the £5million signing
of Switzerland international Behrami. "We are delighted to have signed
Valon," Duxbury told the club's official website. "We beat off a lot of
interest from other clubs to get him and we are very pleased to now have him
here at West Ham United. "He is a player who will be a valuable addition to
the squad as we aim for a successful season ahead. "Valon's signing is also
an indication of the club's positive ambitions and shows that, contrary to
some reports, we are firmly committed to strengthening the playing staff.
"There will not be a mass exodus and fans can be assured that we are working
hard as always to ensure high-calibre competition in all areas of the team."
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Dyer 'ere - KUMB
Filed: Tuesday, 22nd July 2008
By: Staff Writer
Kieron Dyer has revealed he is 'delighted' to be back in full training. The
United midfielder, signed from Newcastle a year ago barely featured last
season after breaking a leg in a League Cup tie last August. But after a
long, difficult recovery from what once would have been a career-threatening
injury Dyer returned to full training at Chadwell Heath for the first time
yesterday, whilst the rest of the first-team squad were enjoying a 3-1 win
against Columbus Crew in the US.
Talking to The Sun, Dyer said: "I joined in with everything. We had a
warm-up, a keep-ball session and finished off with a little match. "It's
been a very long time but it felt good and I'm absolutely delighted to be
back. I got through the session with no setbacks or reaction. "It's just so
good to be involved again. I had a few setbacks but have been able to put
all that behind me now. I've worked hard to get through it all."
The ex-Ipswich man also revealed that he had targetted the pre-season
friendly against his old club as a return date. "Once the pre- season
fixtures came out, I noticed we were playing Ipswich," he added. "I thought
that would be a good game to pencil in for my return."
Elsewhere there was good news for Matthew Upson and George McCartney, who
are said to be close to fitness once again after missing the US trip for
'precautionary reasons'.
West Ham United - squad for Thursday's game vs MLS AllStars
Robert Green, Jimmy Walker; Calum Davenport, Anton Ferdinand, Ashley Miller,
Lucas Neill, Bondz N'Gala, Jordan Spence, Joe Widdowson; Jack Collison,
Matthew Etherington, Julien Faubert, Hayden Mullins, Mark Noble, Scott
Parker, Kyel Reid, Junior Stanislas, Tony Stokes; Dean Ashton, Craig
Bellamy, Luis Boa Morte, Carlton Cole.
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Get on my land - KUMB
Filed: Monday, 21st July 2008
By: Staff Writer
Richard Wright has completed his transfer to Championship side Ipswich Town.
KUMB.com reported earlier today that 30-year-old Wright was set to finalise
a return to Suffolk having completed a medical over the weekend. Town
confirmed the news of Wright's arrival just before 4pm this afternoon; a
brief statement on their website reading: "The 30-year-old goalkeeper has
put pen to paper today on a two year contract at Portman Road after joining
the Club from West Ham for an undisclosed fee."
That fee is thought to be around £500,000 - clear profit for the Hammers who
landed the experienced keeper on a free a year ago this month. Wright said
of the return to the club where he began his career: "It's great to be back
here and it feels like I've come home - but it seems like the move has gone
on forever. "I was desperate for the deal to be finished and the last
weekend has been the longest of my life. I thought everything was going to
be done on Friday but it dragged on. "Doubts cross your mind about whether
things are going to happen when a move drags on and I was literally waiting
by the fax machine for the forms to come in from West Ham. "I'm delighted
that everything is now done and I can't wait to get started."
Wright becomes the fifth member of Alan Curbishley's to depart Upton Park
since the end of last season; Nobby Solano (released), Henri Camara (end of
loan), Bobby Zamora and John Paintsil (Fulham) have already left East London
for pastures new.
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Loan Collins? - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2008
By: Staff Writer
West Bromwich Albion have made an enquiry into the availability of James
Collins. However the newly-promoted club were told in no uncertain terms
that the Welsh international centre-half - currently sidelined after
sustaining cruciate ligament damage earleir this year - will not be leaving
East London. According to a story in today's Birmingham Mail, the Baggies
wanted to take the former Cardiff defender on loan for the season with an
option to buy thereafter. But Collins is said to be happy at West Ham United
having been given assurances over his long-term future by Alan Curbishley.
Collins joined West Ham three years ago this month. However his career with
United has been blighted by injury and to date he has made just 38 starts in
all competitions since moving from Cardiff in 2005.
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Nani and Curbs go Cuckoo - West Ham Online
onenil - Wed Jul 23 2008
West Ham today announced the signing of Swiss international defender Valon
Behrami from Lazio in a £5m move. Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has landed
his man despite competition from around Europe and the versatile star has
now passed a medical and agreed a five-year contract at the club.
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury told the club's official website: "We are
delighted to have signed Valon. We beat off a lot of interest from other
clubs to get him and we are very pleased to now have him here at West Ham
United. "He is a player who will be a valuable addition to the squad as we
aim for a successful season ahead. "Valon's signing is also an indication of
the club's positive ambitions and shows that, contrary to some reports, we
are firmly committed to strengthening the playing staff.
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Jan the man? - KUMB
Filed: Wednesday, 23rd July 2008
By: Staff Writer
Jan Lastuvka has claimed that a move to West Ham United is being held up by
red tape. The 26-year-old goalkeeper told ctz.cz (aka the Czech News Agency)
that a deal had been agreed between the Hammers and his current club,
Ukrainian side Shaktar Donetsk. However the deal hit the buffers when,
Lastuvka claims, Donetsk raised their demands which United have thus far
refused to meet. "The offer from West Ham is there. The club wants me and
going back to the English league is definitely of interest," said the former
Fulham goalkeeper. "Unfortunately, negotiations have become very
complicated on certain matters. I will not comment on any figures, but in
general we were almost agreed with West Ham when the transfer fee increased
very much all of a sudden. "Since Monday the discussions have appeared to
me very strange and under those conditions I don't rush into anything."
Lastuvka, a former student of philosophy made his name at Banik Ostrava in
the Czech Republic before sealing a move to Shaktar Donetsk in 2004. In 2006
he was sent on a season-long loan to Fulham where he suffered a torrid time;
Fulham eventually sent him back to Shaktar without taking up the option to
buy clause. Last season Lastuvka was once again sent on loan, this time to
VfL Bochum of the Bundesliga. However his time with Die Unabsteigbaren was
equally unremarkable and the Germans failed to meet Shaktar's £2million
asking price. West Ham United have been on the hunt for a back-up keeper to
number one Robert Green since Richard Wright made it clear that he wanted to
leave the club in order to seek first-team football at the end of last
season.
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Give & Go: West Ham's Robert Green - Goal.com
USA's Marc Connolly interviewed the Hammer of the Year winner in Toronto,
asking him about his international future, the best strikers in the EPL and
how to compete with the Big Four.
As the rest of their West Ham United teammates finish up lunch and scurry
back upstairs to their rooms at the very busy Westin Harbour here in the
Queen City, Dean Ashton and Robert Green take a seat on the floor, side by
side, while waiting for their next television interviews to get started.
Both men are in demand this week ahead of Thursday night's MLS All-Star Game
at BMO Field. And for good reason. Ashton went on a late-season scoring
spree to not only lead the side in goals (10), but also to catch Fabio
Capello's attention enough to garner his first cap against Trinidad & Tobago
on June 1. As for Green, well all he did was play at a level last season
that had clubs lining up for his services throughout the past month, and has
the 28-year-old goalkeeper, who was voted as the Hammer of the Year at
season's end, mentioning a pay raise despite having three years left on the
contract he signed last year. That's what happens when you outperform your
contract and are considered one of the best goalkeepers in the English
Premier League.
Goal.com USA's Marc Connolly caught up with Green during some down time in a
busy day for the visiting side, who came to the U.S. last week and defeated
the Columbus Crew in a friendly on Sunday as part of their continuing
preseason.
Here's what transpired:
Goal.com: Your manager, Alan Curbishley, told me a little while ago that you
should be England's starting goalkeeper. What do you think about that?
Green: It's very difficult when you are a goalkeeper. I mean, there's only
one position on the field. And it's all about opinions on who should be in
there. Opinions differ from manager to manager. I've found that I'm not a
fit for the current manager right now. It's as simple as that.
Goal.com: Have you received any feedback from Capello?
Green: No, no feedback.
Goal.com: Have you heard from him at all?
Green: No.
Goal.com: Changing gears, how does one gear up for the season knowing that
you are facing an uphill battle already with the Big Four teams having so
much money to spend and a stranglehold on the transfer market each summer?
Green: You just try and look at it differently. For example, we have played
Manchester United five teams and beaten them in four of those matches. But
it's not about that. It's about being consistent against all of your
opponents. It is what separates a great team from a good team.
Goal.com: How can your team finish higher than it did last season when you
finished tenth in the table?
Green: It's a massive step. But it's not unreachable, to be up there with
the best teams. It's a mindset. Sometimes you see teams that are not in the
Big Four go out there and simply not believe in themselves. They sit back
and defend and don't even give themselves a chance to win the game. I think
it's important for us to not go about our business like that. You have to be
willing to attack and believe you can win those games.
Goal.com: Which strikers in the EPL give you the hardest time?
Green: The guys I play against week-in and week-out are so clinical. The
potential is always there for any one of them to do anything at any moment.
You always have to be ready, no matter what team you are playing against or
which players. So it really is hard to single a few guys out.
Goal.com: There has to be a few who strike more fear in you than the others.
Green: Sometimes it's not even a player, but a whole team. Look at Arsenal.
They play such good football. At any time, they have so many players who can
score, especially on their set pieces. [Fernando] Torres is so clinical with
his finishing. There are others like [Dimitar] Berbatov, too, who doesn't
waste any chances. Also, Dean Ashton hits rockets at me each day in
training. He has one of the hardest shots in the league.
Goal.com: Who were some of your favorite goalkeepers while growing up?
Green: When I was a kid I liked Peter Schmeichel, of course. Peter Shilton
and David Seaman were ones I would watch a lot, too.
Goal.com: Do any of the American goalkeepers from the EPL stand out to you?
Green: Brad Friedel. What I admire about him is his strength of character.
He moved on from Liverpool after not playing a lot and could have given up.
But instead it only made him better and he was able to become one of the
most consistent goalkeepers in the EPL. At his age, I marvel at how fit he
is and how he is playing as great as he is. It's been quite an achievement.
I can't even imagine what I'll be like when I'm 10 years older. I hope I'm
just playing.
-- Marc Connolly, Goal.com USA
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Valon Behrami signs for West Ham United in £5m deal - Telegraph
Despite having to tighten their belts, West Ham spent £5 million on Swiss
international defender Valon Behrami from Lazio and then insisted it
confirmed the club's commitment to challenging the elite.
By John Ley
Last Updated: 1:21AM BST 24 Jul 2008
It is West Ham's first serious foray into the summer transfer market, having
signed 17-year-old pair, Homar Orn Eyjolfsson and Balint Bajner, and comes a
week after Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil left in a joint £6.3m deal, for
Fulham. There is also speculation that players such as captain Lucas Neill,
goalkeeper Robert Green, striker Carlton Cole and centre-back Anton
Ferdinand will leave Upton Park. Behrami, 23, born in Kosovo, joined Lazio
in 2005 from Genoa and played in all three of Switzerland's Euro 2008
qualifiers. Scott Duxbury, the West Ham chief executive, said: "Valon will
be a valuable addition as we aim for a successful season ahead. We managed
to beat off a lot of competition from other clubs to sign him and it
indicates the club's positive ambitions. "Contrary to some reports, we are
fully committed to strengthening the playing staff. There will not be a mass
exodus and fans can be assured we are working as hard as always to ensure
high-calibre competition in all areas of the team."
Behrami, whose girlfriend is Italian model Elena Bonzanni, added: "It's my
dream come true to play for West Ham and in the Premier League. At last I am
able to sign. After the Euro 2008 championships, I spoke to West Ham who had
expressed an interest but I had to be sure it was the right thing for
everybody and, once I was sure of that, I made up my mind quickly. "I know
what is expected of me and now I am looking forward to being part of this
West Ham side and playing in English football."
Meanwhile Neill, still being linked with a move to Manchester City where his
former Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is now in charge, will lead West Ham
into action against the American Major League Soccer All Star team —
including David Beckham — in Toronto tonight. Neill, whose team beat
Columbus Crew 3-1 on Sunday night, said: "It will be great to test ourselves
against the best players in America but we are in good shape, especially
with guys like Scotty Parker, Craig Bellamy and Julien Faubert getting
fitter all the time."
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West Ham state their intent with Behrami capture
Bill Pierce The Guardian,
Thursday July 24, 2008
West Ham United insist the £5m signing of the Switzerland defender Valon
Behrami shows their commitment to challenging the Premier League's elite.
Behrami's move from Lazio comes a week after the striker Bobby Zamora and
the defender John Pantsil were sold for a combined £6.3m fee to their London
rivals, Fulham.
Behrami's arrival heightens speculation that the Hammers' captain Lucas
Neill, the striker Carlton Cole and the centre-back Anton Ferdinand could be
among the high-profile players put up for sale to balance the books after
the past two season's transfer activity.
West Ham, whose only summer signings until the arrival of the 23-year-old
Behrami were the 17-year-olds Homar Orn Eyjolfsson and Bálint Bajner, have
also awarded major new contracts to the striker Dean Ashton and the
left-back George McCartney.
The chief executive Scott Duxbury said the club was focused on improving the
existing team. "Valon will be a valuable addition as we aim for a successful
season ahead. We beat off a lot of competition from other clubs to sign him
and it indicates the club's positive ambitions.
"Contrary to some reports, we are fully committed to strengthening the
playing staff. There will not be a mass exodus and fans can be assured we
are working as hard as always to ensure high-calibre competition in all
areas of the team."
Following the exits of the classy Argentinian pair Carlos Tevez and Javier
Mascherano last year, West Ham signed striker Craig Bellamy for £7.5m,
midfielder Julien Faubert for £5m and midfielders Scott Parker and Kieron
Dyer for £6m each. All four ended up on the injured list.
The club's Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson has adopted a more
hands-on role since the exit of his compatriot and former chairman Eggert
Magnusson, also appointing Italian technical director Gianluca Nani in March
to work this season with manager Alan Curbishley.
West Ham, currently on tour in the US and Canada, snapped up Kosovo-born
Behrami, who played in all three games for co-hosts Switzerland at Euro 2008
and also featured in the 2006 World Cup campaign. He told West Ham's
official website: "It's my dream come true to play for West Ham and in the
Premier League. After Euro 2008 I spoke to West Ham who had expressed an
interest but I had to be sure it was the right thing for everybody."
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Hammers Hope To Extend Sears Stay - Goal.com
West Ham United are ready to tie down youngster Freddie Sears on a long-term
contract, according to reports…
»Comments Print This Story Send To A Friend Contact Us galleria zoom The
Sun claims the Hammers are prepared to offer the 18-year-old a five-year
deal, despite the fact he penned a new contract in March. Sears, currently
on tour in the United States, burst onto the scene towards the end of last
season, scoring the winner on debut against Blackburn Rovers shortly after
coming on as a second-half substitute. The England under-19 striker has thus
earned interest from Arsenal and Tottenham, both of whom could certainly use
some attacking reinforcements should their star forwards leave this summer
as predicted. But Alan Curbishley (pictured) and co are determined to hold
onto their top talents and reverse the trend that has seen the likes of
Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole sold off to West
Ham's rivals in recent years. Talks are set to commence once Sears returns
to London with the rest of the touring squad.
Mike Maguire
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Shakhtar Donetsk keeper Lastuvka reveals West Ham offer
tribalfootball.com - July 23, 2008
Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka has revealed an offer received from
West Ham. Lastuvka, who spent a season on loan with Fulham, is eager to
return to the Premier League, but admits that negotiations between the two
clubs have stalled in recent days. The 26-year-old believes that the problem
has arisen with the two sides unable to agree on a fee for his services.
Lastuvka told CTK: "The offer from West Ham is there. The club wants me and
going back to the English league is definitely interesting and alluring.
"Unfortunately, the negotiations have become very complicated on certain
matters.
"I will not comment on any figures, but in general we were almost agreed
with West Ham when the transfer fee increased very much all of a sudden.
"Since Monday the discussions have appeared to me very strange and under
those conditions I don't rush into anything." There is still hope that a
deal will be concluded, but Lastuvka admits that the continued stalemate is
a concern. He added: "We have not ended the talks, they still go on, but we
cannot delay it much."
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West Ham's Ashton: MLS now genuine option
tribalfooball.com - July 23, 2008
West Ham striker Dean Ashton believes the USA's MLS is now becoming a
genuine career option for British players. "I think a lot of people were
surprised that David Beckham came over here," he said. "They felt like he
could still play a part in European football but I think he's shown already
that he's made a great decision and he's definitely helped the MLS and
helped the profile in England as well." Ashton revealed that Beckham's
success had also got a lot of players of all ages in the English leagues
talking about following the former Manchester United star across the
Atlantic. "Obviously David Beckham coming over here made the MLS a lot
bigger in England," he continued. "Everyone is talking about it and younger
and younger players want to come over here now. "It's a great lifestyle, the
football is getting better and better all the time and the feedback to all
the players in England is that it's an up-and-coming league and it's really
somewhere to be at the moment, but that depends on the player himself."
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Beckham looking forward to West Ham clash
tribalfooball.com - July 23, 2008
LA Galaxy's England star David Beckham is looking forward to facing West Ham
in tomorrow's MLS Allstars clash. The former Manchester United midfielder
said: "I am looking forward to it. "I always liked playing against West
Ham, especially being an East End boy as well. I played against them few
times with Manchester United. I always especially liked playing at Upton
Park, because it is a place obviously near my house and near where I come
from. Also, I usually score against West Ham at Upton Park which is always
nice!"
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Reid enjoying West Ham tour
tribalfootball.com - July 23, 2008
West Ham winger Kyel Reid is enjoying their preseason tour of the 'States. I
am really enjoying the trip," Reid told whufc.com. "We started against
Hampton and Richmond last Thursday. I didn't really have a great game so I
was hoping I could come out here and get another chance to prove to the
manager that I can help the team progress. I want to show the fans that I am
a good player. It is nice to see them all here and we are getting good
support."
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Soccer security to be on watch for West Ham rowdies
JOSH WINGROVE
From Wednesday's Globe and Mail
July 23, 2008 at 4:44 AM EDT
Security guards at tomorrow's Major League Soccer All-Star Game in Toronto
will closely monitor a small section of West Ham United supporters, after
the English club's fans tussled with local partisans during a match in
Columbus, Ohio, over the weekend. "We're going to be paying very specialized
attention to the West Ham supporters group," said Bob Hunter, executive
vice-president of venues for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the parent
company of Toronto FC, which is hosting the game. "We're not treating it
lightly," he said. "We talked to the people in Columbus."
A scuffle broke out Sunday after three West Ham hooligans walked into a
section of Columbus Crew supporters at halftime. Before security could
intervene, an altercation broke out between a few fans from either side, the
Columbus club said. Police used pepper spray, arrested one West Ham backer,
and escorted three other people out.
At tomorrow's match between West Ham and the MLS All-Stars - including
English star David Beckham - staff will be looking for anything "that is
unruly behaviour - excessive profanity, anything that could be seen to be
out of the ordinary," Mr. Hunter said.
There are about 250 West Ham fans coming from Britain for the game, joining
fans from Canada, said Chris Jackson, 48, a British-born Ontario resident
who'll be backing West Ham at the game with his daughter Carley, 21. "I very
much doubt there'll be any trouble at all," Mr. Jackson said.
Still, MLS is taking steps to make sure the game goes smoothly, including
monitoring where fans of the English Premier League team are sitting, league
spokesman Will Kuhns said. "We're very confident it will be a festive
atmosphere that the fans will both participate in and enjoy," Mr. Kuhns
said. No additional security staff will be brought in, Mr. Hunter said. The
typical contingent for an FC game includes 170 guards, 140 ushers and 34
Toronto police "pay duty" officers hired by organizers, Mr. Hunter said.
Spectators in Columbus chanted "ICF," an apparent reference to the Inner
City Firm, a hooligan group of West Ham supporters who made headlines in
London some 30 years ago. With rising ticket costs, such hooligans have been
priced out of football, Mr. Jackson said.
British police contacted North American news media yesterday, looking for
footage of the Columbus scuffle. Britain's National Football Banning Order
Officer - Daniel Hursit's official job title - said English fans spotted in
the pictures might be banned by British authorities from attending matches
either in Britain or abroad for a minimum of two years.
Such bans don't extend to friendly matches with MLS teams.
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Squad No.21: Behrami Opinion
07.23.08 | 3 Comments
Valon Behrami has finally signed for West Ham United today in a £5m deal
(under half of his original valuation by Lazio) the winger was estimated by
his former club at £11.7m, but after a tribunal regarding his actual price
the fee was slashed dramatically. Behrami signs on a 5 year deal on wages
£42,000 plus bonues, and will wear the number 21 shirt.
Opinion
What a great signing for West Ham! I have never seen the right side of West
Ham look so strong. the link with Behrami and Faubert will be mouth watering
to watch. They both have pace, they both can cross, and they both can score,
unbelievable!
Behrami has always been that person who catches your eye for his awareness,
there is something about him that makes him stand out. In the European
Championships, he looked really good, shame the team he was in didn't
compliment his style. Personally i think he will make the same impact as
Yossi Benayoun did which is what we have missed the past season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpTXUp6Be_s
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Crew Supporters Union Release Statement on West Ham Fans - Cmon Yu Irons
I have read a lot about Crew supporters since the trouble at the Crew
Stadium with West fans, and quite a lot of it is bad news for Crew,
Read THIS ARTICLE HERE ( below ) and then the statement below from The Crew
Supporters Union ( below dotted line ) :
Columbus, You Have a Problem
Posted by kartik
Published in Columbus Crew
I have deliberetly allowed two days to pass since the initial reports about
the fracas at Crew Stadium have passed to comment on this site. I wanted to
see what action was taken by the club and what the fallout was before
rushing to judgement. After two days of evaluating the situation and talking
to people across the country, I have come to the conclusion that the
situation in Columbus must be dealt with sooner rather than later.
The simple one word association most Americans have with the sport of soccer
is "hooligans." The second word is "foreign." So many bloggers and fans
simply do not understand the negativity towards the sport we love that
emanates from media blowing up incidents like the one the other night in
Columbus. So many MLS/USL fans list incidents from NFL, NBA and NHL games
and claim that makes these problems acceptable, but reality is that doesn't
matter. The bottom line is the media will treat and the public will perceive
any incidents at an MLS match differently than anything at a mainstream
American sporting event.
College Football has in the past proved to be a violent sport. Deaths have
surrounded the Florida-Georgia game, the Texas A&M-Texas game and
Michigan-Wisconsin game in recent years. But that sport is such a fabric of
American life especially in the rural south and midwest it's always chalked
up to being drunk college fraternity kids who are living the American way.
Nothing about College Football threatens the American fabric according to
the demagogues who trash anything related to the beautiful game.
Significant elements of the American media wants this sport to fail and go
away. Everytime something has happened at an MLS match this year no matter
how minor it's ended up on the "shout shows" like PTI, ATH and Rome is
Burning as proof that Soccer is foreign and dangerous. Every time something
happens at a College Football game it is simply "those poor kids" and "how
terrible."
Having spent several years working closely with a major international
polling firm I can tell you most Americans don't have the critical thinking
skills that they used to on matters like this. It sounds condescending or
elitist to make this blanket statement but I have seen empirical evidence
that backs up such claims. The reason: Too many Americans depend on TV news,
particularly cable news to shape their perceptions. This trend started in
the late 1980s but really intensified in the late 1990s. It's a bi-partisan
thing as the two most prominent prime political shows, the O'Reilly Factor
and Countdown, both feature hosts who bash Soccer as foreign and
un-American. One host is a right wing conservative and the other a left wing
liberal. The liberal actually has a sports background where he used to bash
Soccer.
This is what we are facing. I've heard time and time again that MLS and USL
fans are actually better behaved than NFL, NBA or NHL fans. That may be true
but is not the point. We don't shape the perception, the media which is
suspicious of this game does and we cannot give them fodder to bury this
sport just as it is surging into the American conscience.
Where does the Columbus Crew fit in this? We've had a budding Hooligan
problem in this league and in USL for a few years now. When I spoke with
Dougie Brimson about the Toronto FC situation two months ago he told me that
he had predicted this to the MLS brass a year ago and that they were serious
about combating the threat. It seems whatever memo went out from the league
office was read in thirteen cities and in some cases over done (like in New
Jersey this past weekend) but in Columbus a team that once led the MLS in
attendance but now struggles to get respectable crowds has seemingly turned
a blind eye to incident after incident.
Here is what has happened around the US & Canada this year:
1) Portland has rowdy fans that sing throughout the matches but hardly ever
pick fights with the other teams supporters. They sing, they chant and the
Timbers supporters demonstrate to us how passionate football support should
be. I do not know of one incident that has made the news recently about the
Timbers supporters stepping over the line so to speak.
2) In Houston, after the El Battalion started a fight with Chivas USA
supporters, club itself and the other large supporters group the Texian Army
took strong action against EB and little trouble has occurred since. The
Superliga matches involving Mexican sides at Robertson were basically
trouble free.
3) Chivas USA banned several members of a supporters group that picked a
fight with the LA Riot squad outside the SuperClassico match in April from
several matches and the entire Supporters groups choose to sit out the
matches in solidarity with their members.
4) TFC dealt with the problems of violence on the GO trains after matches as
well as frequent pitch invaders and no trouble has occurred since. The
Metropolitan police in Toronto have increased their presence around the
ground on matchdays.
Now let's look at Columbus and contrast it with the above situations:
1- Columbus did not adequately police the tailgate area before the season
opener with Toronto and thus many TFC fans were attacked and with a lack of
port o lets for such a large tailgate area, inevitably tensions flared and
not only did fans urinate on the ground but they began fighting with one
another.
2- At the same match the police presence was so minimal several TFC fans
were able to storm the pitch and head towards the goal Columbus was
defending.
3- When I discussed the Toronto situation openly and honestly and tried to
engage TFC fans on my CSRN show the complaints about me being "too soft on
TFC" all seemed to come from Crew fans. Days later several Crew fans were
shouting racial obscenities at New England players as caught on You Tube.
The Columbus fans also were caught throwing glass bottles and coins on the
pitch during the 2nd half of the match.
4- The organization and supporters group in complete contrast to the strong
a decisive actions of Chivas USA and Houston in fighting hooliganism tried
to cover up the situation and wouldn't give up the individuals involved. The
team would not take action so the league had to after several embarrassing
columns were written in newspapers, some of which hardly cover the sport
normally. Even more alarming was the attempt by some Columbus supporters to
go after sponsors of the MLS Rumors site who had exposed the behavior at
Crew Stadium. This is the way off a hooligan, to threaten and bully.
5- In defiance of a league wide ban Columbus fans began sprayed confetti and
streamers on opposing players while attempting a corner. Now I cannot recall
the specific match but it was done. Why the security did not confiscate the
items at the gate is beyond anyone's comprehension. The league wide ban was
more or less enforced throughout the rest of the league. When pressed on the
situation at Crew Stadium, Columbus GM, Mark McCullers blamed Toronto FC for
the trouble league wide and avoided totally the issue of racist fans.
6- Sunday's incident: West Ham has a reputation for having rowdy fans, but
we've hosted English clubs before and never had trouble. The poster
promoting the match was an implicit call for some sort of nationalistic
pride from the fans, which often times in the past has evolved into violence
when West Ham is involved. I'm as nationalistic as it comes when this game
is involved whether it be the US National Team, Superliga, or even the
Carribean club cup which USL side Puerto Rico participates in. But saying
"we take on the Brits, you push us over the top," is in fact way over the
top to steal a line from Crew promotion department. How would Tigres
supporters have taken a posted in Denver prior to the Tecate Cup match two
weeks ago that read " Colorado fans put us over the top against the
Mexicans?" The poster and its message strongly indicate to me the Crew
management has no interest in stopping the continued incidents at Crew
Stadium.
In addition, at some point soon either the local law enforcement needs to be
better trained to handle situations like this or the Columbus fans have to
be mature enough to walk away. I have to state that I firmly believe that if
West Ham had played, let's say Real Salt Lake instead of Columbus these
problems would have been avoided.
Here is my thesis on the situation: Columbus attendance once the highest in
MLS has now become among the worst in the league. I believe the
organization, desperate to create an atmosphere and attract new fans is
purposely turning a blind eye to the things other organizations are stamping
out immediately. As I have said to this point we've had no repeat incidents
in Houston, Toronto or LA because those matters were dealt with by the club
before the next home match. Columbus on the other hand has allowed things to
fester. They are going to have to take action this time for the good of MLS
and Soccer in this country.
It's really a shame. At one time the Crew were the model for MLS. They built
their own ground while the rest of the league was still using NFL/College
Football stadiums and had such a good record of finding players and
developing talent. But this year's version of the Crew while talented on the
pitch has left a sour taste in many people's mouths because this stuff just
keep happening and happening. The Crew organization also deserves better in
terms of results. As I've said they've been long one of MLS' model teams but
have consistently fallen just short of winning anything significant.
Please, Columbus clean up your own mess and stop blaming others for your
problems. You have a problem and it needs to be stamped out not just for the
good of your organization, but for the good of the league and the good of
the game. In addition, Soccer fans throughout this country need to support
whatever moves MLS and Crew make to clean up this mess.
--------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT FROM CREW SUPPORTERS UNION
As many of you are aware, a small scuffle occurred Sunday evening
between a group of West Ham fans and Crew supporters in the Nordecke.
The Crew supporters were attempting to get the West Ham fans, who were
throwing beer and trying to instigate fights, out of the top of the
section where families are seated with no assistance from the security
representatives located around the section. This incident has now been
sensationalized by the media as a "brawl". We, the leaders of the Crew
Supporter's Union, feel that the blame should fall squarely on
Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC, a security company) for lack of
training the personnel hired to work MLS games and the Crew Front
Office for cutting down on the number of security guards around the
section when a club known more for hooliganism than soccer is expected
to be present at a game. The bottom line is that the West Ham fans
should have never made it into the supporter's section, let alone ten
rows deep. Before the next home match on August 16 against our sister
club, FC Dallas, we will try to work with the Crew Front Office to get
CSC to explain their violent and unnecessary harassment of Crew
supporters in the first half and hopefully to find a better security
solution than what is currently being provided.
John Clem
Crew Supporters Union President
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West Ham and England striker Ashton keen to bring together the Creme de la
Prem - Daily Mail
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 3:12 AM on 24th July 2008
West Ham striker Dean Ashton has backed the idea of an English All-Star game
for the top players in the Barclays Premier League. The Hammers are in
Toronto for tomorrow night's match against a Major League Soccer All-Star
team boasting the likes of David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Mexico striker
Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Juan Pablo Angel. Eye for an opportunity: West Ham
striker Dean Ashton would like to see the Premier League follow the lead of
the MLS by organising an All-Stars event. Asked whether such a match would
be possible midway through a Premier League season, as is the case with the
MLS, the England international was positive. 'I think it could be, yes,'
Ashton said. 'Coming over here I was quite surprised at how big an event it
is and all the media surrounding it. 'So if it's such a big deal over here I
can't see why something like that can't be really good over in England.
'It's a great event and we're definitely looking forward to it.'
The MLS All-Star squad is selected by voting from fans, the media, team head
coaches and general managers. The leading club in the league standings at
the halfway stage supplies the coach, in this case New England Revolution
boss and former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol, who makes two additional
picks to complete an 18-man squad that has, in the last three years,
defeated Fulham, Chelsea and Celtic. Ashton claimed he saw no reason why the
best players in England could not join together for a similar event. 'It's
a great concept, especially for all the fans to see all their best players
in one team, so I don't see why not,' he said. 'I don't know if it would
ever happen, though. That's another matter.'
Ashton, 24, believes Beckham's move from Real Madrid to the Los Angeles
Galaxy last season has given MLS a huge boost in profile back in England.
'I think a lot of people were surprised that David Beckham came over here,'
he said. 'They felt like he could still play a part in European football but
I think he's shown already that he's made a great decision and he's
definitely helped the MLS and helped the profile in England as well.'
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