Daily WHUFC News - 9th July 2014

Poyet pens Hammers deal
WHUFC.com
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of exciting young midfielder Diego Poyet
08.07.2014

West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of teenage midfielder Diego Poyet. The 19-year-old joins the Hammers on a four-year deal following the expiry of his contract at Charlton Athletic, after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed compensation fee for his services. Poyet burst into the Charlton first team in January 2014, making 23 impressive appearances during the second half of last season to earn the club's Player of the Year award. The youngster has joined his new team-mates at their pre-season training camp on the French-Swiss border and is looking forward to starting life as a West Ham player. "I'm very happy to be here. It took me by surprise a little bit and it all happened very quickly," said Poyet. "It's a great Club to be at and I know a few of the boys here already. "It was a no brainer to sign, I wanted to come out here to the training camp as soon as I could and I'm grateful that they've had me here. "It's massive to come to a Premier League club. It's what I wanted to do - I wanted a new challenge and soon as I heard there was a chance of stepping up I had to take it. "I played quite a few games last season with Charlton and I just want to push on now. Like any young player, the first thing you want to do is get into the first team. I need to show the staff, players and the gaffer what I'm capable of doing and maybe pushing my way in. "West Ham is a great Club with a lot of tradition, moving to a new stadium and everything, it was a no brainer for me because you never know if you're going to get that kind of chance again."

Poyet was born in Zaragoza, Spain, where his father Gus was playing for the city's Primera Division club, in April 1995. At the age of two, he moved to London when Gus signed for Chelsea, and he has spent the vast majority of his life living in England. An industrious and tenacious midfielder blessed with an impressive range of passing, Poyet signed for Charlton as an eleven-year-old before coming through the Academy ranks at The Valley. The youngster's promise was recognised at international level as early as October 2010, when he was handed an England U16 debut in a Victory Shield meeting with Wales - a match which saw him captained by new West Ham team-mate Leo Chambers. The following year, he lined up alongside Manchester United and England left-back Luke Shaw as the Young Lions won the Montaigu Tournament in France. After being capped six times by England at U17 level, Poyet made his first-team breakthrough at Charlton in January 2014, appearing as a substitute in an FA Cup third-round victory over Oxford United. The teenager made his full league debut a fortnight later at Wigan Athletic and became a mainstay in the Charlton side for the remainder of the campaign, contributing to the Addicks' successful battle against relegation with a series of Man of the Match performances. Poyet becomes West Ham's fourth summer signing following the arrival of Argentine striker Mauro Zarate from Velez Sarsfield, Senegal midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate from RSC Anderlecht and left-back Aaron Cresswell from Ipswich Town.

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Adrian's hungry to improve
WHUFC.com
West Ham United goalkeeper Adrian will not be resting on his laurels ahead of the new campaign
08.07.2014

He may have picked up a hat-trick of trophies at West Ham United's Player Awards night in May, but Adrian will not be resting on his laurels as he prepares for the new campaign. The popular Spanish stopper, who is coming into his second season as a Hammer, is looking forward to regaining his sharpness over the pre-season period. After picking up the Signing of the Season, Best Individual Performance and Save of the Season gongs last term, he wants to continue to impress as West Ham look to better their 13th place finish. "I can take so much confidence from last season because it was a spectacular one for me," he said.
"It was my first season here and I played a lot of games. That felt really good and this season I need to improve my performance because I am a person who wants to improve year-on-year. "That constant improvement is always the most important thing for players."

The glovesman is enjoying the hard work of an intense training camp, saying it can only help him back to fitness more quickly. He continued: "It feels good to be back. We are excited to be back training again and we need to come back as fit as we can, so it's an important time. "We're training all day when we're here and we need that because it is very important to get right for 16 August. "The first week of pre-season is taking it little-by-little as we build up again.
"Training for a goalkeeper is different from an outfield player - we train on the other side, with the goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson "Step by step we face the new sensations again because we've had one month of holiday and we need to come back strongly. The hands need to touch the ball again!"

The pre-season matches begin on Saturday with a trip to Stevenage, and Adrian already has his eyes on a Boleyn Ground return for the Marathonbet Cup clash with Sampdoria on 9 August. He added: "All the friendlies will help us to be fit for 16 August. The first one is on Saturday and gradually we will improve as we build for the start of the season. "We are looking forward to the Sampdoria game because it is the first one at the Boleyn Ground with our fans, at our home, and it's the most important match in pre-season. "The fans can see the new players and I'm looking forward to seeing them again because everyone knows that, for me, the West Ham supporters are the best. "We have had a good relationship ever since I arrived here, and I know they will always be in the stadium to help us. "Playing Sampdoria, a big team from Italy, means we will be stronger for the derby with Tottenham on 16 August, as they will help us improve for the start of the season."

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Katie Sheppard - 1994-2014
WHUFC.com
West Ham United Ladies player and lifelong Hammers fan Katie Sheppard has passed away at the age of 20
08.07.2014

West Ham United Ladies player and lifelong Hammers supporter Katie Sheppard has passed away at the age of 20. A talented and popular member of the club, Katie joined the Ladies as a teenager from Charlton Women's Centre of Excellence. A midfielder who named Scott Parker and Jack Collison as her favourite players, Katie initially represented West Ham's U19 side before making her first-team debut as a substitute in an FA Women's Premier League Cup tie with Colchester United in November 2012. She went on to make four appearances in 2012/13 before concentrating on her university studies last season. Prior to joining West Ham, Sidcup-born Katie also represented Bexley and Greenwich at the London Youth Games and played junior football in the United States for Massachusetts Premier League outfit MPS Lady Crusaders and Australia for Melbourne Fusion. She also studied for a BTEC in Sports Science at Christ the King College in Sidcup.

As a club, West Ham United Ladies paid tribute collectively to Katie on their website. "It is with great sadness they we have to report the untimely passing of Katie Sheppard. She had played for the Ladies team for the past two seasons, a true Hammers fan and season ticket holder at Upton Park. We send our condolences to all her family and friends at this sad time."

Director of Football Julia Setford, who was the manager who gave Katie her first-team debut in 2012, said everyone connected with the club had been left shocked and saddened by Sheppard's passing. "Katie was an absolute West Ham fanatic, she had a Season Ticket and it was her absolute ambition to play for West Ham Ladies," said Setford. "When she was at training, she was the bubliest person and just fantastic to have around the club. "She joined us when she was 17 and played for the club for two seasons. Katie was a central midfielder and she made a couple of first-team appeatrances under me before she went off to university. "Katie was a fantastic person and a lovely kid. It is such sad news for us all. The club will certainly be a lesser place without her."

Setford said the Ladies had spoken to Charlton Women to ensure a fitting tribute is paid to Katie when the two clubs meet in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division later this year. Tributes have also poured in for Sheppard on social media, with her team-mates, friends and supporters all expressing their sadness at her passing. Everyone at West Ham United would like to pass on their sincere condolences to everybody who knew Katie at this sad time.

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Diego Poyet signs for West Ham after leaving Charlton
BBC.co.uk

West Ham have announced the signing of midfielder Diego Poyet after agreeing a compensation package with Charlton. The 19-year-old rejected the offer of a new deal with the Addicks and left the Championship club at the end of his contract on 30 June. The son of Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has now signed a four-year contract with the Hammers. "It's massive to come to a Premier League club. It's what I wanted," Diego Poyet told West Ham's official website.
"I wanted a new challenge and soon as I heard there was a chance of stepping up I had to take it. "Like any young player, the first thing you want to do is get into the first team. I need to show the staff, players and the gaffer what I'm capable of."

Poyet made his Charlton debut in January 2014 and accumulated 23 appearances in the remainder of the campaign before the club's fans voted him player of the season. "I can't say we are happy with the outcome because our aim from the moment we started negotiating with Diego over a new contract in early 2014 was to keep him at the club in the long term," said Addicks chairman Richard Murray. Poyet is West Ham's fourth summer signing following the captures of striker Mauro Zarate from Velez Sarsfield, Anderlecht's Senegal international midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and Ipswich full-back Aaron Cresswell.

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Charlton unhappy over Poyet deal
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 8th July 2014
By: Staff Writer

West Ham and Charlton have finally agreed a compensation package for Diego Poyet. The teenage midfielder was officially confirmed as Sam Allardyce's fourth signing of pre-season late this afternoon, following an agreement over compensation for the England youth international. However Charlton Chairman Richard Murray, speaking via the Addicks' website admitted that he was disappointed to lose the player. "I can't say we are happy with the outcome because our aim from the moment we started negotiating with Diego over a new contract in early 2014 was to keep him at the club in the long term," he said. "We take pride in seeing players learn their trade in the academy before going on to become regulars for Charlton's first team. That has been the case for a number of years and has never been more evident than last season when five academy graduates, including Poyet, made their senior debuts. "Our commitment to that philosophy will not change and the club, from boardroom level "

Despite having left his previous club on less than favourable terms Poyet, the son of current Sunderland manager Gus, told whufc.com that joining West Ham United was a "no brainer". "I'm very happy to be here," he said. "It took me by surprise a little bit and it all happened very quickly. "It's massive to come to a Premier League club. I wanted a new challenge and soon as I heard there was a chance of stepping up I had to take it. Like any young player, the first thing you want to do is get into the first team; I need to show the the gaffer what I'm capable of."

Poyet has signed a four-year contract, tying him to West Ham United until 2018 - two years after the move to the Olympic Stadium.

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Hammers launch €12m Yevhen Konoplyanka bid
KUMB.com
Filed: Tuesday, 8th July 2014
By: Staff Writer

West Ham have made a €12million bid for Ukrainian star Yevhen Konoplyanka, according to reports. SSN are running with a story this lunchtime claiming that West Ham have launched a bid for the FC Dnipro forward, who is said to be interesting a number of clubs in Western Europe. The €12million price tag is thought to meet Konoplyanka's minimum fee release clause. Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have all previously expressed interest in signing the left-sided, 24-year-old Ukraine international.

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Diego Poyet joins West Ham after Charlton agree compensation fee
Last Updated: 08/07/14 7:00pm
SSN

West Ham have completed the signing of midfielder Diego Poyet on a four-year deal. The 19-year-old, son of Sunderland manager Gus Poyet, was a free agent after his contract at Charlton expired, but the Hammers still needed to agree an undisclosed compensation fee with the Championship club. Poyet only broke into the Addicks first-team in January and was named player of the year after some impressive displays in their successful fight against relegation. But the teenager has linked up with his new team-mates at their their pre-season training camp on the French-Swiss border and is keen to prove himself in the Premier League. "I'm very happy to be here. It took me by surprise a little bit and it all happened very quickly," he told West Ham's website. "It's a great club to be at and I know a few of the boys here already. "It was a no brainer to sign, I wanted to come out here to the training camp as soon as I could and I'm grateful that they've had me here. "It's massive to come to a Premier League club. It's what I wanted to do - I wanted a new challenge and soon as I heard there was a chance of stepping up I had to take it. "I played quite a few games last season with Charlton and I just want to push on now. Like any young player, the first thing you want to do is get into the first team. I need to show the staff, players and the gaffer what I'm capable of doing and maybe pushing my way in. "West Ham is a great club with a lot of tradition, moving to a new stadium and everything, it was a no brainer for me because you never know if you're going to get that kind of chance again."

Poyet, who has been capped at England U17 level, becomes the club's fourth summer signing following the arrivals of forward Mauro Zarate, midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and defender Aaron Cresswell.

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West Ham make £9.5m offer for Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka
By Lyall Thomas | Last Updated: 08/07/14 6:38pm
SSN

West Ham have tabled a £9.5million bid for Dnipro winger Yevhen Konoplyanka, Sky sources understand. The 24-year-old Ukraine international has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs, but the Hammers are hoping to win the race for his signature. However, Konoplyanka is thought to have a £12m buy-out clause in his contract and the east London club may need to meet that clause in order to progress with the transfer. Liverpool made a bid for Konoplyanka in the January transfer window but failed to agree a deal before the deadline, while Tottenham and Manchester United have previously been linked with the player. West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold have been active in the transfer market this summer after setting manager Sam Allardyce a target of a top-10 finish in the the Premier League. Forward Mauro Zarate, midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and defender Aaron Cresswell have already arrived at Upton Park, but the signing of Konoplyanka would be a real coup for the club. Konoplyanka has made over 100 appearances for Dnipro since his debut in 2007, scoring 28 goals, and he has 36 caps and eight goals for Ukraine.

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OFFICIAL: DIEGO POYET SIGNS
By Sean Whetstone 8 Jul 2014 at 17:43
West Ham Till I Die

West Ham United have officially announced the signing of teenage midfielder Diego Poyet on WHUFC.com to make him our fourth signing of the summer transfer window

"The 19-year-old joins the Hammers on a four-year deal following the expiry of his contract at Charlton Athletic, after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed compensation fee for his services. He is quoted on WHUFC.com saying: "I'm very happy to be here. It took me by surprise a little bit and it all happened very quickly," said Poyet. "It's a great Club to be at and I know a few of the boys here already. It was a no brainer to sign, I wanted to come out here to the training camp as soon as I could and I'm grateful that they've had me here."It's massive to come to a Premier League club. It's what I wanted to do – I wanted a new challenge and soon as I heard there was a chance of stepping up I had to take it. I played quite a few games last season with Charlton and I just want to push on now. Like any young player, the first thing you want to do is get into the first team. I need to show the staff, players and the gaffer what I'm capable of doing and maybe pushing my way in. West Ham is a great Club with a lot of tradition, moving to a new stadium and everything, it was a no brainer for me because you never know if going to get that kind of chance again."

He progressed through the Charlton academy and was voted Player of the Year last season.He was offered a new contract by Charlton but turned that down amid interest from a host of top-flight clubs across Europe which included Monaco and Borussia Dortmund. He made 23 appearances for the Addicks last season. Poyet only made his professional debut on 21st January 2014 in a 3-0 FA Cup third-round win over Oxford United, entering the match as an 81st minute substitute. He made his first league start for Charlton on the 1st of February in a 2-1 defeat away to Wigan Athletic. He has made 7 appearances for the England U16's and 6 appearances for the England U17's. Diego was born in Spain to Uruguayan parents and raised in England, Poyet is eligible to play for any of these three countries.

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DIARRA AND MAIGA
By Sean Whetstone 8 Jul 2014 at 13:34
West Ham Till I Die

The absence of Alou Diarra and Maiga in the training camp in France has not gone un-noticed and it now appears very doubtful they will take any part in the pre season activities. It appears the club patience has run out and with no bids for either player in this or last transfer window West Ham appear to be ready to cut their losses by attempting to buy them out of their contracts.

Diarra joined West Ham United on a three-year contract in August 2012, for a fee believed to be around £2.5m on £40,000 per week. After joining West Ham United, Diarra said he was delighted to join the club and was looking forward to play in the Premier League.Chairman Vincent Labrune said he had been sold in order to reduce the wage bill as Diarra was claimed to be earning £60,000 per week with Marseille.

Diarra made his debut for West Ham on 25th August in a 3–0 away defeat to Swansea City coming on as a 69th minute substitute for Mohamed Diamé. Having made three appearances, Diarra first team opportunities soon became limited when he soon suffered thigh strain during training in September 2012. In the 2013 January transfer window, Diarra made a request to leave the club and criticised Sam Allardyce for holding him back by not explaining his [Allardyce] team selection. Diarra also said that his time at West Ham United has become a waste of time .After his move, Diarra claimed he was conned when his "well known" agent lied to him to join West Ham United. Diarra criticized West Ham United for his pre-season training schedule, having finished Euro 2012. Despite his comments Diarra returned to West Ham for the beginning of the 2013-14 season. In his second game of the season, a League Cup game against Cheltenham Town, he was carried-off injured after 34 minutes having damaged his anterior cruciate ligament. He was expected to miss the whole of the season due to this injury. Unexpectedly, Diarra returned to fitness in 2013 making his return in a 2-1 away win against Tottenham Hotspur on 18 December 2013 in the League Cup. He has made just six appearances in a West Ham shirt.

He is believed to have around £2m of wages remaining his remaining one year contract but it is usual practise to pay our 75% of the remaining wages meaning it would cost us £1.5m to him off our books unless he is prepared to accept a lower compromise agreement.

In July 2012, Maïga joined West Ham on a four-year contract with an option for a further two years for a fee around £4.7m on £30,000 per week. Maïga made his debut for West Ham on 18 August 2012 coming on as an 81st minute substitute for Carlton Cole in a 1–0 home win against Aston Villa. On 28 August 2012 Maïga scored on his full home debut against Crewe Alexandra in the second round of the League Cup to make the score 2–0 following Nicky Maynard's opening goal. He scored his first league goal on 20 October against Southampton in a 4–1 win at the Boleyn Ground.

He has struggled to make an impact at Upton Park and has netted just three goals in 31 appearances.The Mali international joined QPR on loan the second half of last season with QPR paying half his £30,000 per week wages. The deal was only being as the clock counted down towards the January 2014 11pm deadline. He made 8 appearances scoring one goal on his debut for Harry.

With two years of his contract remaining he is owned nearly £3.1m in wages so a 75% buy out would cost the Hammers £2.3m unless the player does the decent thing negotiates a lower compromise agreement.

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Diego Poyet transfer: Can Gus' son play the "West Ham way" following his move to Upton Park?
Jul 08, 2014 17:33 By Joe Hall
The Mirror

It's a summer of change at Upton Park. Sam Allardyce remains the manager, but has been tasked with revamping his brand of football. West Ham's owners want to see sexier, more stylish football in East London next season. New faces have been bought to a bid to freshen up the side. Alongside higher profile arrivals such as enigmatic Argentine forward Mauro Zarate, highly-rated Ipswich left back Aaron Cresswell and Senegalese defensive midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, 19-year-old Diego Poyet has quietly joined from Charlton. The son of Sunderland manager Gus Poyet was a fan's favourite at The Valley, where his performances were rumoured to have drawn interest from clubs such as Chelsea, Tottenham and Barcelona. Here's everything you need to know about the highly rated teenager.

Background

Poyet has played just 20 professional games. He only made his full debut for Charlton in February. And yet in that time he's won both a player of the year and a young player of the year award. A gong for every 10 matches played. Not bad.

The youngster was thrust into professional football with little warning. After Chris Powell lost his best players in the January window, the Addicks manager had no choice but to pluck Poyet out of academy innocence and throw him into the sound and fury of Championship football. Any reservations about whether the kid could cope swiftly dissipated. Once he was in, he never went out - no other player clocked more minutes on the pitch from the moment he came into the team.
He was a rookie who was staggeringly consistent from one game to the next, a boy from a well-off background with tough as nails street-smarts and an unflappable pass master who tied the play together.

England internationals Scott Parker, Lee Bowyer and Jonjo Shelvey (yes, he really does have an international cap) are also graduates of the Charlton academy. Poyet has the talent to do the same - he's already represented England at youth level - yet he still has the option to follow in the more familiar footsteps of his father and play for Uruguay.

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Yevhen Konoplyanka transfer: West Ham make audacious bid for Liverpool and Tottenham target
Jul 08, 2014 15:57 By Darren Lewis
The Mirror

West Ham have made a £9.5million bid for Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka. The offer, however, is £2.5million short of his £12million buyout clause. Mirror Sport also understands the 24-year-old Dnipro winger is not top of the east Londoners' list of targets. Nonetheless, the move is a sign of the Hammers' ambition as it comes just six months after Konoplyanka was on the brink of a move to Liverpool. On Deadline Day in January the Reds triggered his £12million buy-out clause and believed he was their man - only for Dnipro president Ihor Kolomoysky to refuse to sell. Tottenham and Manchester United have since become involved while former Spurs boss Juande Ramos quit the club in May after leading them into the Champions League Third Qualifying round. Liverpool have now signed versatile Adam Lallana and are close to sealing the capture of exciting Serbian Lazar Markovic who can play as a winger or a striker. Manchester United too appear to have a number of other targets on their radar, leaving West Ham to make their audacious bid to test Konoplyanka's determination to quit Ukraine for the English Premier League.

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