WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of Mexico striker
Guillermo Franco
17.09.2009
West Ham United are delighted to announce the permanent signing of Mexico
striker Guillermo Franco after the expiry of his contract with Villarreal
CF. The Argentinian-born forward arrives fresh from his goalscoring exploits
with his adopted country. He has scored four goals in his last six
internationals since June, including one in the 3-0 win away to Costa Rica
in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying last week.
He had been linked with a move to South American champions Estudiantes as
well as two Spanish clubs, with CEO Scott Duxbury and technical director
Gianluca Nani securing his services after positive negotiations over the
last fortnight. Franco was set to link up with his new team-mates for the
first time on Thursday but it is not yet certain if he will be involved
against Liverpool this weekend.
Franco, who has put pen to paper at the Boleyn Ground and passed a medical,
said: "I am really happy to sign for West Ham. It was my dream to come to
the Premier League and I am proud to play for a club that has so much
history. This is a very important stage in my career and I hope to score
lots of goals for the club this season and then play at the World Cup.
"This is an important team with great players and a great manager. I know
that the club are very ambitious and want to do well. I want to do my best
to make that happen and I am excited about the challenge.
"The main motivation was to play in the Premier League. I love English
football and I love the Premier League. I had the possibility of joining
Estudiantes and two Spanish clubs, but it was the Premier League that drew
me here. I can fulfil my desire with West Ham and I am very happy to be
here."
Franco's arrival means an array of attacking options in the final third for
Zola. He has in his squad England internationals Carlton Cole, Kieron Dyer
and the injured Dean Ashton, new Serie A recruits Alessandro Diamanti and
Luis Jimenez plus the exciting trio of Junior Stanislas, Frank Nouble and
Zavon Hines.
Duxbury said: "I am very pleased to be able to welcome Guillermo to West Ham
as I was determined to deliver the extra attacking options that Gianfranco
wanted for the new season. Alessandro Diamanti has settled in very well
already to what is a strong squad and it is clear how keen Guillermo was to
come as well. He understands what we are trying to achieve and his high
level European and international experience will be invaluable."
After starting with San Lorenzo in Argentina, Franco shot to attention with
Mexican side CF Monterey, scoring 63 goals in 119 league appearances
including a league title in his first campaign and two runners-up medals
after that. He earned a high-profile move to Villarreal in January 2006 and,
after appearing at the World Cup finals later that summer, helped them
qualify for the Champions League with eight goals in the 2007/08 season from
16 starts and eight substitute appearances.
The 32-year-old played six times in Europe's premier club competition last
season, including the 1-1 home draw with Arsenal in the quarter-finals on 7
April. He also has experience of playing at the Boleyn Ground, having
figured for 67 minutes in the inaugural Bobby Moore Cup against West Ham
United a year ago, with the match finishing in a 1-1 draw.
Franco added: "I played here before with Villarreal and I have also played
Champions League games here in England. I thought then that I would like to
play here one day and maybe that match against West Ham meant that it was
destiny that I would come here to play."
The striker, who also scored in the final as Mexico won their continental
Gold Cup in June with a 5-0 defeat of the United States, will be the first
Mexican international to play for West Ham.
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Dyer demands more
WHUFc.com
Alex Dyer is looking for an improvement following Tuesday's reserve-team
draw with Wolves
15.09.2009
Alex Dyer has demanded more from his West Ham United reserve team following
Tuesday's goalless draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Hammers went into
the game on the back of a 6-0 thumping of Birmingham City a week previously,
but were brought back down to earth by a powerful, experienced Wolves side.
The visitors had more than enough chances to pick up all three Barclays
Premier Reserve League South points at Bishop's Stortford FC's Woodside
Park, and manager Dyer admitted his players will have to improve when they
travel to Portsmouth on 29 September. "I was very pleased with a draw
because we were poor. We never passed the ball and never competed in the
first half, so I will take a point."
West Ham struggled against a Wolves side including full internationals
Segundo Castillo and Sam Vokes, as well as England Under-21 midfielders
Michael Kightly and Andrew Surman, and only a combination of poor finishing
and resolute defending kept the visitors off the scoresheet. "The back-four
did stay firm, as did the goalkeeper Peter Kurucz, but it was still not good
enough. We work hard all week to get the ball down and pass and move, but we
didn't show that. We didn't compete, like I think we should do. "I know they
were an experienced side, and, as far as reserve-team level goes, they were
a good side. But, it was still not good enough for this club. We want to
push on to the next level and the players, every time they come out to play,
have got to work hard, and I didn't think that happened, especially in the
first half."
Having seen a team containing Valon Behrami, Alessandro Diamanti and Zavon
Hines tear Birmingham to shreds the week before, Dyer said the lack of
experienced first-team players had affected his team's performance against
Wolves. "I don't think it was complacency. I think it was the fact that we
had two-or-three experienced players. Diamanti showed a bit of class, Valon
will run through a brick wall for you and Zav, even when he isn't scoring
goals, will run up and down, work and put his foot in. That's what you
want."
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Liverpool travel update
WHUFC.com
Supporters should note that Plaistow, Upton Park and East Ham tube stations
will be shut on Saturday
16.09.2009
Supporters should take note of the following important travel information
regarding Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture with Liverpool which
kicks off at 5.30pm.
The Hammersmith and City line and the District line will be shut between
Barking and Whitechapel on Saturday 19 September. This means that Plaistow,
Upton Park and East Ham tube stations will have no London Underground
service running to them.
The club can confirm that signs will be erected along the route from
Barking, Canning Town and Forest Gate stations to the stadium for those able
to complete their journey by foot. The average walk is estimated to be
around 35 minutes.
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Upson sets captain's example
WHUFC.com
The England defender is enjoying working under the manager and having the
opportunity to improve
16.09.2009
Matthew Upson has spoken about the impact of Gianfranco Zola and revealed
his pride at being asked to be captain of West Ham United. Reflecting on the
anniversary of the manager's arrival at the club, the England defender
claimed Zola "has put his stamp on the club now" and had instilled in
everyone, at every level of the club, "how he feels football should be
played".
Upson added: "He brings a togetherness to the team. His man-management has
been very good and every player here would voice the opinion that they have
and are really enjoying working with him. "However, their year has gone on a
personal note, there has been, for everybody that opportunity to improve
which is the most important thing and the thing that he strives for as a
manager."
In Upson's case, that opportunity to improve has seen him fully establish
himself in the FIFA World Cup plans of Fabio Capello and left him considered
as one of the three best centre-backs in the country. At club level, he has
accepted the skipper's armband as a "great honour" and sees it as a positive
endorsement of his game. "The captaincy hasn't changed the way I approach
the game," he said. "You are probably aware of the responsibility a little
bit more on the pitch but it doesn't affect the way I play. There is a bit
more to do behind the scenes and off the pitch - organising this, that and
the other - but I am really relishing that and enjoying settling into the
role. It is a great honour."
Whether the captain or not, Upson has long had a mentoring role at the club
as one of the senior professionals. He particularly has words of
encouragement for his defensive partner James Tomkins, who is almost exactly
ten years younger but has excelled this season and last whenever given a
chance to shine. "This is a great opportunity for James. He has shown he is
capable of holding his own at this level and he has improved and progressed
really well. It is important for young players to get the opportunity at the
start of their career to establish themselves and show how good they are. I
am sure he will take full advantage."
Upson also spoke positively about Danny Gabbidon, another who will challenge
him and Tomkins for a centre-back berth and who did well in an unfamiliar
role last Saturday in the 1-0 defeat at Wigan. "Danny did excellently at
left-back which isn't his normal position. Physically he is looking really
good and he is back and looking like the player he is capable of being. If
anyone deserves it, he certainly does after the long process of recovery he
has been through."
Defensively the club have competition for places with the manager possibly
set to have a full complement to choose from for the visit of Liverpool.
Upson sees this as a major plus point for the squad's chances of success,
with everyone hoping to make amends for the Wigan reverse. "We have Herita
[Ilunga] coming back, Julien [Faubert] has done well, Manuel [Da Costa] has
arrived. It is good as there has to be competition for places at the back
and throughout the team. It is how you get the best out of the players.
"If you don't perform well enough then someone can come in and take your
place. That is the reality of it and that is what draws the best out of you
every week. "I hope we can put things right against Liverpool. We didn't
play as well as we can do against Wigan. It was a disappointing afternoon
and we will all be looking back at a game where we could have got three
points from. The key is how we bounce back and we will be preparing hard for
Liverpool."
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West Ham complete Franco signing
BBC.co.uk
West Ham have completed the signing of Mexico striker Guillermo Franco. The
32-year-old joins the Hammers on a free transfer following the expiry of his
contract with Spanish side Villarreal this summer. The Argentine-born
forward has scored four goals in his last six internationals for his adopted
country. "I am really happy to sign for West Ham," Franco told the club's
official website. "It was my dream to come play in the Premier League."
Franco had been linked with a number of Spanish clubs since leaving
Villarreal and saw a move to South American champions Estudiantes fall
through, paving the way for his move to Upton Park. In the absence of
injured striker Dean Ashton, Franco will provide competition up front for
Gianfranco Zola's side alongside Carlton Cole and summer signings Frank
Nouble and Alessandro Diamanti. "I am pleased to be able to welcome
Guillermo to Upton Park," said West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury. "I
was determined to deliver the extra attacking options that Gianfranco wanted
for the new season. "He understands what we are trying to achieve and his
high level of European and international experience will be invaluable."
Franco is set to link up with his new team-mates for the first time on
Thursday but it is not yet certain if he will be involved for the Hammers in
their home fixture with Liverpool on Saturday. "This is an important team
with great players and a great manager," said Franco. "I know that the club
are very ambitious and want to do well. "I want to do my best to make that
happen and I am excited about the challenge."
Franco, who represented Mexico at the 2006 World Cup, joined Villarreal from
Mexican side FC Monterrey after starting his career in Argentina with San
Lorenzo. He played six times for the Spanish side in the Champions League
last season, including the 1-1 home draw with Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
He has also previously played at Upton Park against the Hammers, for
Villarreal in the inaugural Bobby Moore Cup last year.
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Franco's destiny
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 17th September 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have confirmed the signing of 32-year-old Mexican
international Guillermo Franco. The former Villareal striker has signed a
one-year deal with the Hammers and could go straight into thw squad to face
Liverpool at the Boleyn this weekend. Talking to whufc.com, he said: "I am
really happy to sign for West Ham. It was my dream to come to the Premier
League and I am proud to play for a club that has so much history. This is a
very important stage in my career and I hope to score lots of goals for the
club this season and then play at the World Cup. "This is an important team
with great players and a great manager. I know that the club are very
ambitious and want to do well. I want to do my best to make that happen and
I am excited about the challenge. "The main motivation was to play in the
Premier League. I love English football and I love the Premier League. I had
the possibility of joining Estudiantes and two Spanish clubs, but it was the
Premier League that drew me here. I can fulfil my desire with West Ham and I
am very happy to be here. "I played here before with Villarreal and I have
also played Champions League games here in England. I thought then that I
would like to play here one day and maybe that match against West Ham meant
that it was destiny that I would come here to play."
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Hammers bring in Franco
Striker delighted with Upton Park switch
Last updated: 17th September 2009
SSN
West Ham have signed Mexico striker Guillermo Franco on a free transfer.
Franco claimed last week he was close to securing a move to Upton Park and
West Ham have now sealed the switch. Franco was due to sign for South
American champions Estudiantes earlier this month, but the move fell through
allowing the Hammers to nip in and snap him up. The 32-year-old is believed
to have signed a one-year deal at Upton Park after seeing out his contract
at Villarreal earlier this summer. Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has been
looking to bolster his attacking options all summer with Dean Ashton still
on the sidelines at Upton Park and Franco will provide cover and competition
in attack. The Mexico international could go straight into the squad for
this weekend's game at home to Liverpool and he is delighted to make the
move to England. "I am really happy to sign for West Ham. It was my dream to
come to the Premier League and I am proud to play for a club that has so
much history," Franco told the club's official website. "This is a very
important stage in my career and I hope to score lots of goals for the club
this season and then play at the World Cup. "This is an important team with
great players and a great manager. I know that the club are very ambitious
and want to do well. I want to do my best to make that happen and I am
excited about the challenge. "The main motivation was to play in the
Premier League. I love English football and I love the Premier League. "I
had the possibility of joining Estudiantes and two Spanish clubs, but it was
the Premier League that drew me here. I can fulfil my desire with West Ham
and I am very happy to be here."
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Everton poised to bring in Neill
BBC.co.uk
Lucas Neill is having a medical at Everton with a view to moving to the
Goodison Park club on a free transfer. The 31-year-old Australia
international arrived at the Toffees' Finch Farm training complex on
Thursday. The defender is expected to sign for the rest of this season and
three more, having turned down offers from former club West Ham and
Sunderland. Neill, who also held talks with Atletico Madrid, is a free
agent after his Hammers deal expired this summer. He joined West Ham from
Blackburn - turning down Liverpool in the process - in January 2007, and was
made skipper of the Hammers that summer. After making 89 appearances for the
Londoners, scoring one goal, he rejected the offer of a new one-year
contract in June.
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Lucas Neill to take a pay cut to join Everton
Evening Standard
17.09.09
Former West Ham defender Lucas Neill is today expected take a massive pay
cut to join David Moyes's Everton. The experienced 31-year-old has been a
free agent all summer, having failed to agree to an extension to his
£80,000-a-week deal with the Hammers. His move to Merseyside will see him
link up with ex-Millwall team-mate Tim Cahill. The Goodison Park club - in
Europa Cup action tonight against AEK Athens - will welcome the commanding
full-back's arrival as injury problems have left them short at the back.
Phil Neville's knee ligament injury will see new signing Johnny Heitinga
move into midfield, creating a void in the backline. Australia international
Neill - who has come close to agreeing deals with Atletico Madrid and
Sunderland - could return to action against former club Blackburn on Sunday.
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Kuyt : Watch Out Hammers
The Sun
DIRK KUYT saw off Debreceni last night and then warned West Ham: You're
next! The Dutchman put in a man-of-the-match performance as his goal helped
Liverpool labour past their Hungarian opponents. And Kuyt soon set his
sights on Saturday nights clash with the Hammers. After losing two of their
first three matches this season, the Reds have now won their last three.
Kuyt said: "Everyone knows we had a bad start so we had to try and get the
confidence back, try to change things. "That's what we've done by winning
three games in a row and now we're looking forward to Saturday. "Every game
is difficult - everyone knows the Premier League is a very hard league. "But
we have the quality to win these kinds of games on Saturday."
Kuyt became Liverpool's third highest scorer in Europe with his 11th at
Anfield, equalling Terry McDermott's efforts. He added: "I didn't know about
the record but I do now. "It's always nice to be important for the club,
especially when it comes to Europe. "Champions League games are always
special, so I'm happy I scored again on Wednesday and now I'll try to keep
going. "What I would like to do is become more and more important for the
team and try to do my best. "I'm happy with my performances so far this
season but I need to keep going. "I'm feeling really confident. I've played
the last two games in a slightly different position but for me that doesn't
matter. "I just want to be important for the team."
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