Hammers sign Nani...

[YIDDO]

Gianluca Nani that is.

bbc.co.uk

West Ham have confirmed the appointment of Gianluca Nani as the new technical director at Upton Park.
The Italian will quit his role as sporting director of Serie B side Brescia and begin his role in June.

"I am excited about the experience. It is very different and I am proud to be working in England," said the Italian.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has been involved in Nani's appointment, and travelled to Italy last week to discuss possible summer transfer targets.

"Gianluca is the person I need to help me in the recruitment at the club, venturing down into the academy level," said Curbishley.

I am sure this is a club with incredible potential

Gianluca Nani

"It is a big brief but I am sure he is up for it. He is vastly experienced.

"We took a good look at Brescia and what they have achieved. We are lacking at the club in terms of infrastructure and network, which you need now because it is a global game.

"Since I have been here the club has always been looking to push on and push forward. There was a void I felt needed to be filled.

"We don't want to hear about a player going to another club and not have known anything about it.

"We expect the infrastructure of the club when it comes to recruitment will be beefed up, giving us a chance to get the best home grown players and foreign players.

"That is an area I feel we have been lacking."

Nani's role has already been outlined by the club, who spent the last six months searching for a suitable candidate.

The 45-year-old Italian will be responsible for improving the club's global scouting network and will work with Curbishley and the board on transfers.

He will also be charged with developing the club's youth academy and will lead an overhaul of the club's training facilities.

"I am proud and honoured to be here at West Ham. I know it is a club full of history, I know West Ham play the right way," said Nani.

"I met Alan and (West Ham chief executive) Scott Duxbury some months ago. We started to talk about the ambitions of the club. We have the same point of view.

"I am sure this is a club with incredible potential. We have to work to bring the club to its potential."

A statement from the West Ham board said: "West Ham is a club with ambition.

"Now we have a major opportunity to grow and develop as a leading football force.

"Everyone at the club is committed to improvement and to a positive and dynamic future."

Nani studied law before working as Brescia's sporting director since for the last nine years, during which time he is credited with developing talents such as World Cup winners Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni.

He was also involved in the arrival of 1993 World Player of the Year Roberto Baggio, who spent four years at the club.

Good coup from the Hammers, but, this quote makes me laugh:

"I am proud and honoured to be here at West Ham. I know it is a club full of history, I know West Ham play the right way," haha: They've only won the "World Cup" eh?