WHUFC.com
Robert Green celebrated in his own unique style after helping England reach
the 2010 FIFA World Cup
10.09.2009
While he would have been forgiven for sipping the odd glass of champagne,
Robert Green instead celebrated helping England reach the 2010 FIFA World
Cup with a mug of green tea. The West Ham United and England No1, who is
often seen enjoying a cup of his favourite tipple at Chadwell Heath, played
his part as Fabio Capello's side swept aside Croatia at Wembley to book
their passage to next summer's tournament in South Africa. The 29-year-old
has become Capello's first-choice goalkeeper in recent months, and has no
intention of relinquishing his jersey ahead of the finals. Green told WHUTV
he believed England were full value for their comprehensive 5-1 win over
Slaven Bilic's side and their place in South Africa. "We'll see whether I'm
involved next summer, but the team has qualified and that's the main thing.
I think, the way we played, we justified our qualification. "I've got a nice
quiet cup of tea, I'll relax tonight and I'll get my head down and go into
work."
Having seen his dream of appearing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany dashed
by a serious groin injury, Green was happy to have played an important role
in helping England qualify this time around. Against Croatia, the West Ham
stopper enjoyed a quieter than expected evening, not being called upon to
make a serious save until midway through the second half. "That's the name
of the game and that's international football. You're maybe not going to
have too many things to do, but when you're called upon, you've got to do it
and you've got to do it right. "That's what I've learned against Croatia and
that's what I've learned from the Slovenia game and the Andorra game -
you've got to remain focused."
Green is also remaining fully focused on ensuring his form remains at a
sufficiently high level to earn him a place in Capello's World Cup squad
come next summer. "The World Cup is a long way away. I'm sure the manager
will be looking in the remaining games at some other lads and also at how we
do between now and the end of the season. In that respect, it's just
pleasing to be involved, pleasing to get games and on a night like tonight,
it's why you put the hours in. It was a great occasion for everyone
involved."
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Upson all smiles
WHUFC.com
Matthew Upson was a proud man after helping England book their place at the
World Cup finals
10.09.2009
Matthew Upson was a very happy man after helping England to reach the 2010
FIFA World Cup with a 5-1 thrashing of Croatia at Wembley. The West Ham
United defender was at his assured and confident best as Fabio Capello's men
secured their place in South Africa with two matches to spare. Upson enjoyed
a quieter evening than many experts had predicted as a rampant England tore
into Slaven Bilic's side, taking a lead within eight minutes that they never
looked like relinquishing. Former Hammer Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard
both scored twice before Wayne Rooney added a late fifth. Upson told WHUTV
of his determination to ensure he is part of Capello's squad for next
summer's showpiece. "I'm delighted. It was great to have qualified so early.
It was a fantastic effort from all the players and the staff and a really
good commitment to the cause. "I hope to keep my place. It's always nice to
get the opportunity to play and I really enjoyed it. I'm on a good run at
the moment so I've got to keep my form going and keep improving and I'll be
involved next summer in South Africa."
Upson has become a fixture in Capello's squad since the Italian took charge
in February 2008. His own good form, combined with injuries to Rio Ferdinand
and John Terry has led to regular starts in England's perfect qualification
campaign, which has seen them win all eight matches they have played. The
30-year-old admitted he had expected a tougher test from the Croats, who
needed to win to have any chance of denying England an automatic passage to
the finals. "It was possibly easier than we thought it would be. I thought
we started with such a great tempo and we pressed the ball high and got
about them. We were really aggressive and got at them. Aaron Lennon was
outstanding on the right and caused them all sorts of problems and we came
in at half-time and could have been five-up, so it was fantastic and
probably one of our best performances of this campaign. "I've had some good
nights before, but it was great to be involved in such a great team
performance and a great atmosphere at Wembley and be a part of it. I really
enjoyed it."
Despite his achievement, with a young son at home and an important Barclays
Premier League fixture at Wigan Athletic on Saturday to prepare for, Upson
has no time to celebrate. "No I won't celebrate. I'll just go home and have
a nice rest and get some sleep and get in nice and early for training for a
warm-down!"
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SBOBET and Macron
WHUFC.com
West Ham United have agreed two major partnerships that will provide
'significant revenue' to the club
10.09.2009
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of new long-term
agreements with SBOBET and Macron. Principal partners SBOBET, the Isle of
Man-licensed and regulated online sportsbook and casino operators, have
extended their agreement with the club until the summer of 2013. The SBOBET
brand will appear on all official replica kit and training wear used by
Gianfranco Zola's squad, as well as being represented on all club media
platforms.
Leading Italian kitwear manufacturers Macron will be the club's official
technical partner for three years from the start of the 2010/11 season.
Having recently joined forces with Serie A side SSC Napoli and working
already with Portuguese league leaders SC Braga, Macron were keen to make
West Ham United a major part of their growing portfolio of top-flight elite
European clubs.
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said both deals, the terms of which are
undisclosed, would be of huge benefit to the club. He said: "In these
challenging times, I am pleased we have secured our principal and technical
partners on long-term contracts. These contracts ensure over the coming
years that the club has secured significant revenue to assist in the
continued improvement of Gianfranco's playing squad. "Commercially the club
is going from strength to strength and these partnerships provide a strong
foundation for the club to continue to grow and achieve success. SBOBET and
Macron are dynamic companies and they are very much part of our vision for
the future."
SBOBET originally joined forces with West Ham United in December 2008,
impressing the club with its understanding of the long-standing commitment
to the Bobby Moore Fund, which reached a new level with the signing of a
formal three-year partnership. The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK
(Registered Charity No. 1089464) logo will continue to be carried on all kit
worn by the club's Academy sides as well as on child replica strips. Founded
in 1971, Macron is based in Crespellano, near the Italian city of Bologna.
In recent years, the company has rapidly expanded its portfolio of
high-profile clients, and as well as Napoli also provides kit for Serie A
clubs Bologna FC 1909 and Cagliari Calcio 1920. Macron also manufactures
high-quality playing and training wear for basketball, handball, volleyball
and rugby. It has links throughout Europe and operates under the message -
work hard, play harder.
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Bondz leading by example
WHUFC.com
Reserve-team captain Bondz N'Gala was all smiles after netting a spectacular
goal in midweek
10.09.2009
Forest Gate-born Bondz N'Gala was wearing the broadest smile in east London
after scoring a sublime goal in West Ham United's 6-0 reserve-team win over
Birmingham City.
The 19-year-old could barely contain his delight after curling a superb
25-yard shot into the top-corner, celebrating the goal with an unforgettable
jig in front of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand. After leading the Hammers to
a fine first Barclays Premier Reserve League South victory of the season,
the reserve-team captain was all smiles when interviewed by fellow Forest
Gate native Tony Cottee on WHUTV. "For my goal, the ball has gone to the
edge of the box, Josh Payne has picked it up and passed to me. I've turned,
seen the 'keeper off his line and just gone for it. I've always dreamed of
scoring a goal like that and I'll be lucky to score another one in my career
like that."
When asked what his celebratory dance was all about, N'Gala admitted his
sheer elation had got the better of him. "Well, I haven't done a celebration
for a while, so I thought I'd enjoy it!"
After being named as an unused substitute for the Barclays Premier League
visit of Stoke City last December, N'Gala has continued to make good
progress as part of Alex Dyer's reserve team. Having impressed at both ends
of the pitch in front of the watching Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke
against Birmingham, the teenager has now set his sights on making his
first-team debut. "I think I'm doing alright. Being made reserve-team
captain is always an honour, so I hope to carry on progressing and push on
into the first team. It's definitely a dream of mine to be part of the first
team, to break through and play regularly. I'd like to do that at some point
this season. "It's definitely going to be difficult to break in, but I can
only learn from players like Matty Upson and James Tomkins, who is also
doing well. It can only help my game."
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Alessandro aiming high
WHUFC.com
Alessandro Diamanti is determined to be a success for West Ham United
10.09.2009
Alessandro Diamanti cannot wait to show West Ham United supporters what he
can do after announcing his arrival with a virtuoso performance for the
Hammers reserve team.
The 26-year-old, who has joined the club from Serie A outfit AS Livorno
Calcio, scorted two sublime free-kicks in Tuesday's 6-0 Barclays Premier
Reserve League South thumping of Birmingham City at the Boleyn Ground. Now,
the Prato-born forward told WHUTV that he is aiming to carry that
match-winning form into the Barclays Premier League. "To play here was an
excellent feeling," he said. "I was very excited and couldn't wait to show
my qualities. The team did well and played a good game, which I'm very happy
about."
Having played in Serie A with Livorno, Diamanti - whose name literally
translates as 'Diamonds' - is eager to become a jewel in the Premier League,
which is commonly held to be the best league on the planet. He is already
eyeing Saturday's trip to Wigan Athletic. "I came to England because the
Premier League is the most beautiful championship in the world and I cannot
wait to start the season with the first team. I am very excited about that
and want to have this challenge."
Diamanti has settled in quickly at Chadwell Heath, helped in large part by
team-mate and fellow Italian speaker Valon Behrami. The Switzerland
midfielder has been acting as Diamanti's chauffeur, driving the 26-year-old
to and from training, as well as his translator. "My taxi driver has two
very nice cars, he is never late and is a very comfortable driver to ride
with! Seriously, though, I want to thank Valon a lot because he has helped
me a lot to join with the team and to settle in."
Fit-again Behrami himself believes his new friend possesses the quality to
be a huge hit with West Ham's supporters. He said: "He showed his quality
against Birmingham. It was a great game for him and he's a very, very good
player. We have to wait because it is not easy to come in England and get
used to playing a very different game. He did very well and will do great
things for us. "He is a very, very good new signing and I say that not just
because he is my friend, but because he is a quality player and he is
exactly what we need. That's what the manager wanted to sign - a quality new
player - and I am very happy and everyone is happy with his arrival."
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Ladies seek goalkeeper
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies are on the lookout for a new first-team goalkeeper
10.09.2009
West Ham United Ladies are looking for a first-team goalkeeper to represent
the club in the FA Tesco Women's Premier League Southern Division. The
Hammers, who have made an unbeaten start to the 2009/10 season, train twice
a week at the club's Chadwell Heath training ground. Work commitments mean
No1 Paris Smith will not be available regularly this season, opening up the
chance for a new goalkeeper to stake her claim for the jersey. The chance to
represent West Ham is an excellent opportunity for a goalkeeper who already
has first-team experience at a similar level, or a young player who has
recently graduated from an Academy or Centre of Excellence. Interested
goalkeepers should contact either club secretary Colin Roache on 07711
152662 or RoacheC@dean-wood.co.uk or first-team manager Tony Marshall on
07809 828873 or tonymarshall6@hotmail.co.uk
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Hammers set to sign striker
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th September 2009
By: Staff Writer
Guillermo Franco is set to join West Ham after agreeing a short-term deal
with the club. The 32-year-old Argentinian-born Mexican international is set
to fly into London within the next 48 hours to rubber-stamp his move to the
Premier League. A free agent since being released by Villarreal at the end
of last season, Franco - who will sign to sign a one-year deal with an
option to extend - had looked set to sign for Argentinian side Estudiantes
before the Hammers stepped in with an improved bid. The 6'1" striker, who is
set to appear for Mexico at next summer's World Cup Finals made his name
with Argentinian club San Lorenzo, for whom he scored 23 goals in 94
appearances. Upon moving to CF Monterrey in 2002 he also became a Mexican
citizen and made his debut for his country three years later. After three
years in Mexico, Franco moved to Spain to play for Villareal, where he spent
the next three seasons making 81 appearances and scoring 14 goals. Despite
having been without a club since the end of last term, Franco has retained
his place in the Mexican national team and featured most recently last
weekend in Mexico's 3-0 win in Costa Rica, a result that all but guaranteed
their place at next year's Finals.
West Ham's search for a striker has continued unabated since it was made
clear that Marouane Chamakh would not be completing a move from Bordeaux. As
KUMB.com revealed last week, Gianluca Nani and Gianfranco Zola spent last
weekend scouting abroad. Despite failing to persuade Manchester City's
Benjani to move south on loan for the season on transfer deadline day, talks
with a number of potential targets have since taken place - including former
Leeds and Newcastle striker Mark Viduka. However the terms of Franco's deal
will be far more favourable to West Ham than a move for the former
Australian international, who commanded wages in excess of £50,000 per week
during Leeds United's heyday several years ago. It is unlikely that the
Mexican will sign in time to featue against Wigan this weekend, but another
new signing - Alessandro Diamanti, who scored a brace in Tuesday's 6-0
reserves win over Birmingham - is set to make his first start for the club.
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Hammers announce new kit deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 10th September 2009
By: Staff Writer
West Ham United have revealed that Italian designers Macron will succeed
Umbro as the club's kit manufacturers. The little-known Italian firm - who
mainly provide kits for teams in Italy - will begin their association with
United from next season having secured a three-year deal. In other news, the
club also announced that their partnership with club sponsors SBOBET has
also been extended until 2013; CEO Scott Duxbury stating: "In these
challenging times, I am pleased we have secured our principal and technical
partners on long-term contracts. These contracts ensure over the coming
years that the club has secured significant revenue to assist in the
continued improvement of Gianfranco's playing squad. "Commercially the club
is going from strength to strength and these partnerships provide a strong
foundation for the club to continue to grow and achieve success. SBOBET and
Macron are dynamic companies and they are very much part of our vision for
the future."
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Diamanti raring to go
West Ham new boy relishing challenge
Last updated: 10th September 2009
SSN
Alessandro Diamanti is looking forward to making his West Ham debut after
joining from Livorno. The Italian striker did not complete his transfer in
time to be available for the goalless draw with Blackburn on 29th August and
has been settling into his new surroundings for the past fortnight during
the international break. He scored two stunning free-kicks in a reserve
match at Upton Park on Tuesday and hopes he can keep his form going. "To
play here was an excellent feeling. I was very excited and couldn't wait to
show my qualities," Diamanti told the club's official website. "The team did
well and played a good game, which I'm very happy about."
Diamanti admits he has been an admirer of English football for some time and
he is relishing the prospect of playing with and against some of the best
players on the planet.
"I came to England because the Premier League is the most beautiful
championship in the world and I cannot wait to start the season with the
first team," he explained. "I am very excited about that and want to have
this challenge."
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West Ham poised to complete signing of Guillermo Franco
West Ham United are finally to end their search for a new striker with the
expected signing of Mexican international Guillermo Franco.
Telegraph.co.uk
By Jason Burt
Published: 2:34PM BST 10 Sep 2009
An agreement has been reached with the 32 year-old who left Villarreal at
the end of last season. Franco is out of contract and therefore can be
signed for free even though the transfer window has closed. Franco was one
of several strikers being tracked by West Ham as they attempted to provide
more attacking firepower for manager Gianfranco Zola.
Sport on television A bid was accepted by Manchester City for Benjani
Mwaruwari, but that deal could not be concluded in time with the Zimbabwean
stalling, while talks took place with Mark Viduka, also out-of-contract
after leaving Newcastle United in the summer. It had appeared that Franco,
born in Argentina but a naturalised Mexican, would return to the Argentinean
club Estudiantes – the current Copa Libertadores champions – but now West
Ham have persuaded him to join them instead. Franco had made it clear that
he would prefer to remain in Europe after his contract with the Spanish club
Villarreal – for whom he made 84 appearances, scoring 14 goals – ended, but
he was due to join Estudiantes after Wednesday's international against
Honduras. However West Ham have now intervened. Franco won his 18th
international cap for Mexico and scored his sixth goal for his country
against Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier – their first victory in four
ties - earlier this week. He moved to Europe in 2006, after playing for
Mexico in the World Cup, having spent seven seasons with Monterrey, scoring
63 goals. He won the league with the club in 2003 and ended the following
season as the leading scorer in Mexico.
A talented striker, Franco will provide support for Carlton Cole with West
Ham already having signed Chilean international Luiz Jimenez and Alessandro
Diamanti to play in a 4-3-3 formation either side of a main target man. Zola
has high hopes for Jimenez – who has made an impressive start to his West
Ham career – and Diamanti, who signed for £6 million from the Serie A side
Livorno. The 26 year-old scored with two free-kicks in the 6-0 reserve team
rout of Birmingham City earlier this week and is contention to make his
debut away to Wigan Athletic this Saturday. However it is unlikely that
Franco will be signed in time for that match.
West Ham remain interested in signing Marouane Chamakh and have held talks
with the Moroccan international after being given permission to speak to him
by his club, Bordeaux. A £7 million transfer was in place but this could not
be finalised before the close of the transfer window. The likelihood is that
Chamakh will either see out the final year of his contract and leave at the
end of the season or move in January. Alternatively he could sign a
pre-contract agreement with a club at the turn of the year and is likely to
want to see how Bordeaux fare in the Champions League this season.
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How West Ham persuaded 16-year-old Jermain Defoe to leave Charlton
September 10th, 2009 ·
The Spoiler
A snippet of gossip from our friends at Popbitch :"As Chelsea face a long
transfer ban for being naughty when buying young players, and other top
clubs prepare to endure similar sanctions, let's look back 10 years to a
simpler time. "We're told that Jermain Defoe decided to leave Charlton to
sign for West Ham aged 16… because West Ham promised to buy his mum a
fridge."
We say that this disgusting cooling appliance-related behaviour calls for an
immediate transfer ban. Then again, that's probably exactly what West Ham's
owners want right now…
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West Ham handed financial boost by lucrative double contract
10 September 2009
By Adam Fraser
Contract summary
Length of contract: 3 years
Annualised value: US$6 million
Overall value: US$18 million
West Ham United, the English Premier League club, has signed Italian firm
Macron as its kit manufacturer on a three-year contract. The club, currently
in the hands of Icelandic banks after former owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson
lost his wealth in the collapse of Iceland's economy, has also extended its
partnership with kit sponsors Sbobet until 2013. The agreement could be
worth as much as US$18 million to the club over the three year contract.
"In these challenging times, I am pleased we have secured our principal and
technical partners on long-term contracts," said West Ham chief executive
Scott Duxbury. "These contracts ensure over the coming years that the club
has secured significant revenue to assist in the continued improvement of
Gianfranco's playing squad. "Commercially the club is going from strength to
strength and these partnerships provide a strong foundation for the club to
continue to grow and achieve success. Sbobet and Macron are dynamic
companies and they are very much part of our vision for the future."
An advance payment from Sbobet helped the Hammers secure the signature of
Italian striker Alessandro Diamanti. "I must offer personal thanks to our
sponsors Sbobet and their executive director Bill Mummery for the way they
have endorsed what we are trying to achieve here," said Duxbury at the time.
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Fabio Capello gives me hope I can be England No 1 at World Cup, says West
Ham stopper Robert Green
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 4:02 PM on 10th September 2009
Daily Mail
Robert Green admits England boss Fabio Capello's policy of picking players
in form and not on reputation gives him hope he can have a major part to
play in the World Cup next summer. The West Ham keeper has started England's
last five internationals - including the decisive qualifier with Croatia on
Wednesday - in place of the injured David James.
James is still thought to be Capello's No 1, after playing every one of his
initial 13 games at the helm, despite now being 39. But Green is determined
to try and maintain his standards with West Ham to stay in Capello's plans.
He said: 'It is really pleasing to play. At the moment I am enjoying it. If
the manager thinks otherwise, so be it. I've played a number of big games
and important games for him. 'I feel more comfortable playing among the
lads, and they are looking to me for more and to produce more for the team.
'It is a big stage and one for big hearts, and I've really enjoyed stepping
up to play.' 'I will do my utmost in every game I play, and the manager will
pick who he sees fit to take the next game. 'But the difference is he plays
players who are in form. That is the difference - from the back to the front
of the team. 'If you are in form, you will play - and if you are playing
well, you know you will carry on doing so. 'What you do from each game is
just learn. You do your utmost in each game and you treat success and
failure in the same way.'
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Mexico striker Franco heading to West Ham
By Soccernet staff
ESPN
September 10, 2009
Mexico striker Guillermo Franco is set to sign for Premier League side West
Ham United as a free agent, according to the player. The former Villarreal
forward said: "Imagine how I feel after so much criticism for not having a
team but thank God my dream has come true to play in England. This is a new
step, a new cycle with big challenges in a very strong league."
The Hammers have spent all summer attempting to bolster their strike force
and failed with a deadline-day bid to sign Benjani from Manchester City. The
club are yet to confirm that the 32-year-old former San Lorenzo and
Monterrey forward will be playing for them this season. Argentine-born
Franco's contract with Spanish club Villarreal expired last month and a move
to South American champions Estudiantes in the country of his birth fell
through due to late registration. A member of Mexico's 2006 World Cup squad
in Germany, Franco was called up by national team coach Javier Aguirre for
this month's 2010 qualifiers despite having no club and scored in the 3-0
win away to Costa Rica on Saturday.
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Mexico striker Guillermo Franco claims he has signed for West Ham United
'My dream has come true to play in England' striker says
West Ham benefit after move to Estudiantes fell through
guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 September 2009 00.44 BST
Mexico's Guillermo Franco has claimed he is joining West Ham United.
"Imagine how I feel after so much criticism for not having a team but thank
God my dream has come true to play in England," the striker told reporters
yesterday. "This is a new step, a new cycle with big challenges in a very
strong league," the former Villarreal player added. West Ham, who travel to
Wigan tomorrow looking to improve on their current return of four points
from their three matches, have yet to announce the 32-year-old former San
Lorenzo and Monterrey forward will be playing for them this season. The
Argentina-born Franco's contract with Villarreal expired last month and a
move to the South America champions Estudiantes in the country of his birth
fell through due to late registration. A member of Mexico's 2006 World Cup
squad, Franco was called up by the national team coach, Javier Aguirre, for
this month's 2010 World Cup qualifiers despite having no club and scored in
the 3-0 win away to Costa Rica on Saturday.
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Franco to sign two-year West Ham deal
11.09.09 | Andrew Slevison
Guillermo Franco is set to sign a two-year deal with West Ham. The Mexican
striker will join Gianfranco Zola's Hammers as a free agent after his
contract with Spanish club Villarreal expired at the end of last season. The
32-year old will be bought in to Upton Park to strengthen the Hammers
striking stocks and is expected to be on a deal worth £20,000 a week.
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Diamanti thrilled with West Ham goal scoring debut
11.09.09 | tribalfootball.com
Alessandro Diamanti was thrilled with his reserve-team brace on debut for
West Ham United in midweek. "To play here was an excellent feeling," he told
WHUTV. "I was very excited and couldn't wait to show my qualities. The team
did well and played a good game, which I'm very happy about."
Having played in Serie A with Livorno, Diamanti - whose name literally
translates as 'Diamonds' - is eager to become a jewel in the Premier League,
which is commonly held to be the best league on the planet. He is already
eyeing Saturday's trip to Wigan Athletic. "I came to England because the
Premier League is the most beautiful championship in the world and I cannot
wait to start the season with the first team. I am very excited about that
and want to have this challenge."
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
West Ham's Behrami full of praise for Diamanti
11.09.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United midfielder Valon Behrami is impressed by new teammate
Alessandro Diamanti. The Swiss told WHUTV. "He showed his quality against
Birmingham (reserves). It was a great game for him and he's a very, very
good player. We have to wait because it is not easy to come in England and
get used to playing a very different game. He did very well and will do
great things for us. "He is a very, very good new signing and I say that not
just because he is my friend, but because he is a quality player and he is
exactly what we need. That's what the manager wanted to sign - a quality new
player - and I am very happy and everyone is happy with his arrival."
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