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Overall League Record:
P:63 W:24 D:13 L:26 F:80 A:91
After a short spell away from the game, which was augmented by work as a television pundit, Curbishley returned to management in December 2006 when he was appointed as manager of West Ham United. After looking certain for relegation, Curbishley led West Ham to seven wins out of their last nine games, beating Blackburn, Everton, Bolton, Wigan, Arsenal, Middlesbrough and a last-day 1-0 win at Manchester United, to keep West Ham in the Premier League. Before the start of the Premier League 2008/09 season, there was ever increasing speculation about his future at the club. Despite the club taking 6 points out of their first 3 games, he was unhappy with the club's transfer policy after key players were sold without his permission, a claim denied by the West Ham United board of directors, and he tendered his resignation from the post, which was accepted by the board on the 3 September 2008. Since leaving West Ham he has resurrected his TV career despite being linked with many high profile managerial positions.
Lisbon, Portugal 04/08/1977
FULHAM
January 2007
Undisclosed
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION Upton Park 6th January 2007
Portuguese international winger who became Alan Curbishley's first signing as West Ham United manager when he moved from Fulham for an undisclosed fee. Luis began his professional career with his hometown club, Sporting Lisbon, in 1996, but spent just one season there before moving to England at the age of 19 to join Arsenal in June 1997 for a fee of 1.75million. After growing frustrated at his lack of first-team opportunities at Highbury, he was allowed to join Southampton in a £500,000 deal in August 1999. After spending just one season with the Saints, he moved to Fulham in a season-long loan deal in the summer of 2000 and helped the Londoners win the old First Division Championship in May 2001, before completing a permanent £1.7million transfer to Craven Cottage that summer. After establishing himself as a firm favorite among the Fulham fans, Luis was appointed the club’s captain, and had earned a reputation as one of the Premiership’s most exciting attackers. He missed just four league matches in the 2005-06 campaign and was one of Fulham’s key performers. After completing his move to Upton Park just days after the January transfer window had opened, Luis made an impressive debut in the FA Cup third round win over Brighton & Hove Albion, creating the first two goals in our 3-0 victory.
Nunhead, London 20/07/1978
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
January 2007
£1.5 million
FULHAM - Upton Park 13th January 2007
Experienced Scottish international midfielder who completed a £1.5million move from West Bromwich Albion on 8th January 2007 to become Alan Curbishley’s second signing as Hammers manager. The transfer signalled a return to his London roots for the 28-year-old. Nigel started his career with Queens Park Rangers and made his professional debut against Manchester United at Old Trafford at the tender age of 17 in December 1995. After several impressive performances for Rangers, Nigel earned a call-up to the England under-21 squad, before making a £2.5million move to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 1998. However, his first season at the City Ground ended in relegation from the Premiership and, after failing to win promotion back to the top flight the following year, he joined Portsmouth for £600,000 in the summer of 2000. After establishing himself at Fratton Park and playing a key role in Pompey’s First Division Championship triumph in 2003 and subsequent success in retaining their newly-acquired Premiership status, Nigel took advantage of a new FIFA ruling, enabling him to accept the opportunity of full international recognition with Scotland, despite wearing the Three Lions of England as an under-21 player. He made his full debut against Estonia in May 2004 and followed that up with his first goal for his country in a 4-1 win over Trinidad & Tobago just three days later. He currently has 14 full international caps to his name. In January 2005, Nigel was snapped up by his former Pompey manager Harry Redknapp – by now at South Coast rivals Southampton – for a fee of £2.1million. He soon became club captain, but spent just 12 months at St Mary’s before making a £1.2million move to West Bromwich Albion. Played an integral part in helping the Baggies to reach the play-off places in the Championship as they look to bounce straight back to the Premiership.
Marbella, Spain 13/01/1984
SAVILLA (Spain)
January 2007
Loan
LIVERPOOL - sub 75mins Upton Park 30th January 2007
May 2007 return loan
1/7 (gls 1)
Described by manager Alan Curbishley as a typically old-fashioned centre-forward who is strong in the air and has an eye for goal. The former Spanish under-21 striker was signed on loan from Sevilla in Janauary 2007 until the end of the season, with the Club retaining an exclusive option to make the transfer permanent if desired. Kepa joined Sevilla as a schoolboy and progressed through the youth ranks before making his senior debut in a UEFA Cup match against AEK Athens in December 2004. His Primera Liga debut followed later that season against Atletico Madrid, but it wasn't until the start of the 2005-06 campaign that he made a notable impact, before going on to make 11 starts and 20 substitute appearances in the League and UEFA Cup. Kepa was an unused substitute as Sevilla enjoyed glory in the UEFA Cup final with a 4-0 victory over Middlesbrough. Kicked off 2006-07 season by scoring a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Levante and scored three goals in six UEFA Cup appearances before falling out of favor with future Tottenham Hotspur coach Juande Ramos. Made a scoring debut for the Hammers against Liverpool after coming on as a 75 minute substitute. Unable to command a regular place in the side and was allowed to return to Spain at the end of the season.
Vittsjo (Sweden) 16/04/1977
ARSENAL
July 2007
Undisclosed - rumoured to be £3.5 million
MANCHESTER CITY - Upton Park 11th August 2007
Contract terminated by mutual agreement
22 (2 gls) Cup: 3 (0 gls)
The charismatic Sweden captain was signed from Arsenal in July 2007 in a deal that could rise to £3m, following a nine-year spell with the Gunners. Born in Vittsjo, the active young Ljungberg joined Halmstads at the age of five, and also played several other sports including ice hockey and handball, for which he was called up to the national youth squad. He made his senior first division debut aged 17 against AIK on 23 October 1994 and went on to make 139 appearances - scoring 16 goals - for the club. And after winning his first full cap for Sweden against the USA in January 1998, he then starred in Sweden's Euro 2000 qualifier victory over England nine months later. That dazzling performance persuaded Arsene Wenger to splash the cash in a £3m deal and, on 20 September 1998, Ljungberg marked a memorable Highbury debut by stepping off the bench and sealing a 3-0 win against Manchester United with the first of his 72 goals for the north Londoners. Ljungberg made his West Ham United debut on the opening day of the 2007/2008 Premier League season, in West Ham's 0-2 home defeat by Manchester City on 11th August, a game in which he was also captain. After seven momths at the club, Ljungberg finally scored his first goal for West Ham in the home match against Birmingham City on 9th February 2008, putting West Ham 1-0 up, with the game finishing 1-1. Ljungberg also scored away at Sunderland a month later in a 1-2 defeat, being his final goal for the club. His time at West Ham and his career in European football ended in August 2008, when the Hammers announced they had reached an agreement with Ljungberg to terminate his contract only one year into the four-year deal, ending his illustrious career in the Premier League.
Rumney, Cardiff 13/07/1979
LIVERPOOL
July 2007
£7.5 million (Club record)
MANCHESTER CITY - Upton Park 11th August 2007
MANCHESTER CITY - January 2009
Undisclosed, rumoured £14m
20/4 (gls 7) Cup: 2 (gls 2)
Welsh international captain signed from Liverpool in a then club record £7.5m deal in the summer of 2007. Cardiff-beorn Bellamy left home as a teenager to begin his career with Norwich City, making his debut in March 1997, befre going on to score 34 goals in 91 league and cup appearances for the Canaries. Aged just 18, he made his senior international debut for Wales against Jamaica in his native Cardiff in March 1998, and by the time he kicked off the 2007-08 season, he had gone on to win 46 caps – scoring 13 goals. In the summer of 2005, he earned a £5m move to Coventry City. Wyth the Sky Blues’ demise made Bellamy the target of serveral Premier League clubs and, in June 2001, Newcastle United swooped to sign him for £6m. Forming a potent strike-force alongside Alan Shearer, Bellamy helped Newcastle to qualify for the Champions League. Following the arrival of Graeme Souness as manager in August 2004, his Magpie career hit a rocky patch which led him joining Celtic on loan. July 2005 Mark Hughes paid £5m to take him to Blackburn Rovers scoring 17 goals in 32 outings for the Ewood Park club, a stike-rate that convinced Liverpool to splash out £6m for his services just 12 months later. Bellamy managed nine goals in 43 appearances for the Reds and was an unused sub in the European Champions Final against AC Milan in May 2007. The Anfield arrivals of Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Vndrei Voronin meant Craig was suddenly surplus to requirements on Merseyside and that was the cue for Alan Curbishley to swoop with a club record bid. Made his Hammers debut against Manchester City in a 0-2 reverse at Upton Park 11th August 2007. Injury blighted Bellamy's first season with the hammers and managed only 9 games, scoring 4 goals and in February 2008 was ruled out of action until the beginning of season 2008-09. Bellamy was reported to have attracted the attention of several clubs, and in the 2009 January transfer window he was linked to several clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. Manager Gianfranco Zola was reportedly unhappy with the way he felt Tottenham had tried to approach Bellamy, although he denied reports that Bellamy had gone on strike in protest at not being allowed to move - after Bellamy stormed out of training in protest. Two offers from Man City were rejected before on 18th January 2009, a third undisclosed bid, purported to be around £14 million was accepted by West Ham from City.
Ipswich 05/11/1977
EVERTON
August 2007
Free
BRISTOL ROVERS - Memorial Stadium 28th August 2007
IPSWICH TOWN July 2008
Undisclosed
0 Cup: 3
The twice-capped, England international goalkeeper signed for West Ham United on a free transfer in August 2007. A free agent, the 29-year-old former Ipswich Town, Arsenal and Everton stopper left Goodison Park at the end of the 2006/07 campaign, whereupon he became Alan Curbishley's third summer arrival. Ipswich-born Wright joined his hometown club as a schoolboy and progressed to make his senior debut in the old first division at the age of just 18, in a 1-0 defeat at Manchester City in August 1996. After establishing himself as a regular in the team almost immediately, the young keeper went on to suffer defeat in three successive play-off semi-finals before making it fourth time lucky in May 2000, saving a penalty as the Tractor Boys beat Barnsley at Wembley to reach the Premier League. Just five days after that promotion triumph, Wright made his full international debut for England in a 2-1 friendly win over Malta, saving another penalty to further enhance his growing reputation as one of the country's most promising young goalkeepers and earn himself a place in the Euro 2000 finals squad. After one more season at Portman Road - in which he helped lead the newly-promoted Tractor Boys to a top-five finish and UEFA Cup qualification - Wright was the subject of a record £6m summer 2001 move to Arsenal, where he went on to make 22 league and cup appearances in the 2001/02 season - including four in the Champions League - winning a Premiership winners' medal. However, after just a solitary season in north London, the 6ft 2ins stopper was on the move again, this time in a £3.5m switch to Everton. Sadly, knee and ankle injuries blighted much of his career on Merseyside, and the arrival of Tim Howard on loan from Manchester United in 2006 restricted him to just two appearances in his final campaign at Goodison Park. Having arrived at the Boleyn Ground to provide competition for Robert Green, Wright made his Hammers debut in the League Cup second round win at Bristol Rovers on the 28th August 2007 and got two more appearances in the cup competition. In March 2008, he was allowed to join Southampton on loan in the hope of getting some games under his belt. In July 2008 he rejoined Ipswich Town for an undisclosed fee.
Dakar (Senegal) 10/05/1977
WIGAN ATHLETIC
August 2007
Loan - Season
NEWCASTLE UNITED - St James' Park 23rd September 2007
Return loan
3/7 (0 gls)
The powerful African striker joined West Ham United on a season-long loan from Wigan Athletic just four minutes before the August 2007 transfer window shut. After playing in France and Switzerland during his early 20s, Camara came to prominence at the 2002 World Cup finals, where Senegal became only the second African team to make it to the quarter-finals. Camara had originally left his home-town club, Diaraf Dakar, to sign for Racing Club Strasbourg in the late 90s before heading across the Swiss Alps in 1999/00 to Neuchatel Xamax. That soon led to a December 2000 transfer to Zurich, where he bagged three goals in eleven games as Grasshoppers claimed the Swiss title, before quickly moving on again to French outfit CS Sedan Ardennes in August 2001. After the pain of losing a penalty shoot-out in the 2002 African Cup of Nations final against Cameroon, he was also included in Senegal's squad for the summer's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. In the last 16, he scored twice - including a deadly golden goal -to eliminate Sweden but Camara's World Cup dream was ended at the quarter-final stage by a Turkish sudden-death decider. One year on, Wolverhampton Wanderers paid £1.5m to bring the striker, who had scored 22 goals in 59 appearances for Sedan, to the Premiership. Henri made 32 league and cup outings, but faced with an unwelcome stint in England's second-tier, he opted for a season-long loan with Celtic but after scoring eight goals in 20 league and cup outings, he prematurely returned to Wolves in the New Year, whereupon he was immediately loaned to struggling Southampton. Despite scoring on his Saints' debut in a 2-1 defeat at Birmingham City in February 2005, Harry Redknapp's Saint's side were already on the slide and his three goals in ten Premiership outings could not prevent a second successive relegation for Camara. After returning briefly to Wolves, Camara was sold to newly-promoted Wigan Athletic for £3.1m at the start of the 2005/06 campaign. The Latics' record signing duly repaid Paul Jewell's faith with a dozen goals in 29 league matches to keep the Premiership underdogs in the top flight, while he also collected a League Cup runners-up medal following a 4-0 defeat by Manchester United. Camara weighed in with another half-a-dozen goals in 23 outings the following season, too, as Wigan narrowly avoided relegation at the expense of Sheffield United on a nerve-wracking final day of the 2006/07 campaign. After Wigan manager Paul Jewell's resignation, Camara found himself out of favour at Wigan and he was loaned out to West Ham United for the remainder of the 2007/08 term. Before the man with more than 50 caps even had the chance to pull on a claret and blue shirt, he flew home to his native Dakar and scored twice against Burkina Faso to secure Senegal's place in the 2008 African Cup of Nations finals - a competition he was duly called up for in January 2008. He had made his West Ham debut as a substitute in the 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United on 27th September 2007. Returned to Wigan at the end of his loan period. By his own admission, he has had a torrid time at West Ham and wants to preferably find another club in England.
Callao (Peru) 12/12/1974
NEWCASTLE UNITED
August 2007
Free Transfer
SUNDERLAND - Upton Park 21st October 2007
Released June 2008
14/9 (4 gls)
The creative Peruvian dead-ball expert and king of the crosses, signed a one-year contract with West Ham via a free transfer from Newcastle United on August 2007 deadline day. In 1992 he signed professional terms with Sporting Cristal but, half-a-dozen games later, he then headed to another top-flight side, Deportivo Municipal, where he was given more first-team opportunities. After winning his first full cap as an 18-year-old, “Nobby” rejoined Sporting Cristal and helped them to a hat-trick of championship titles. Solano’s burgeoning reputation had brought him to the attention of the continent’s big boys and, in 1997, he moved to Argentinian giants, Boca Juniors. Newcastle were taking a keen interest too, and in August 1998 Kenny Dalglish persuaded Solano to move to St. James’ Park in a £2.48m deal. After 38 goals in 234 outings for the Magpies – moved to Aston Villa for £1.5m in January 2004, to the dismay of the Geordie supporters. Graeme Souness had taken over at Newcastle and the new boss boosted his flagging popularity in August 2005 by re-signed the silky Solano for the same £1.5m that the Geordies had received some 18 months earlier. Second time around, Solano was successfully deployed in a more defensive right-back role but he still managed to find the net on ten occasions in 81 matches. Being alerted to his availability in August 2007, Alan Curbishley could not resist the opportunity to re-unite the sublime South American with former St Jame’s Park team-mates, Scott Parker, Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer on a one-year deal. Made his Hammers debut when he came off the bench against Sunderland 21st October 2007 to help secure a 3-1 victory ay Upton Park. Quickly settled into the role of the club’s first-choice set-piece taker. Solano was released at the end of his season long contract. Joined Greece club Larissa in August 2008.
No.783 Jack COLLISON ... (2008 - )
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Watford 02/10/1988
CAMBRIDGE UNITED
2005
Trialist
ARSENAL - Sub 37mins
Emirates Stadium 1st January 2008
Tall central midfielder who made great strides in the West Ham youth set-up. Jack’s first-team debut came against Arsenal as a first-half replacement for the injured Fredrik Ljungberg at the Emirate’s Stadium 1st January 2008 in a 0-2 reverse. He opted to play international football for Wales – he qualified through a grandfather – and by the end of 2007 had played two Under-21 European qualifiers. Scored a stunning solo goal on his debut – a 4-0 home win against Bosnia-Herzegovina on 17th November 2007.
La Harve (France) 01/08/1983
BORDEAUX (France)
July 2007
£6.1 million
FULHAM - Sub 89mins - Upton Park 12th January 2008
French international midfielder moved across the Channel from Bordeaux for a £6.1m fee in July 2007. Born in Le Havre, Faibert headed south in 1998 when he was offered a place at the AS Cannes youth academy, famous for nurturing such talents as Zinedine Zidane, and Patrick Vieira. But after starting out as a right-back, he soon found himself pushed into midfield, where he went on to make 45 senior appearances for the Cote d’Azur club before moving to Bordeaux in September 2004. The fast and powerful midfielder then earned a call-up to the French national squad following the World Cup finals in Germany and he duly made his international debut in August 2006, becoming the first player to wear the famous number 10 shirt following the retirement of Zidane. Having scored eleven goals and created countless others in 92 league and cup outings for Bordeaux, Faubert had emerged as one of the hottest properties in French football and Alan Curbishley beat off the attentions of AS Roma and eleventh-hour interest from Rangers to bring him to London in July 2007. Disaster struck when Faubert ruptured his achilles tendon in the club’s second pre-season encounter against Czech outfit Sigma Olomouc in Austria. That saw him go under the knife in Strasbourg, and after an intensive rehabilitation programme, Julien made his Hammers debut as an 88th minute substitute in the 2-1 home win against Fulham 12th January 2008. His first season in English football was marked by continuing injury and made only eight appearances in the league and FA Cup. Faubert was given permission to speak to Real Madrid with the move being completed on 31st January 2008, when he signed on loan until the end of the 2008-09 season for a reported £1.5m with an option for Real to purchase him on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Unable to break into the Madrid side and only playing in two games for the Spanish giants he returned to the Boleyn at the end of the season.
Kosovo (Albania) 19/04/1985
LAZIO (Italy)
July 2008
£5 million
WIGAN ATHLETIC - Upton Park 16th August 2008
No.788 Zavon HINES ... (2008 - )
Jamaica 27/12/1988
Trainee
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MACCLESFIELD TOWN - Sub 27mins
Upton Park 27th August 2008
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Zavon is a pacy young forward who developed well in 2007-08 campaign but really took off in the following season. He was involved in pre-season action before starting as a regular in the reserves. Heading into 2008, he stepped up his progress and caught the eye of coach Kevin Keen. On the 27th March 2008, Hines was loaned for a month to Championship club Coventry City. He had previously had a brief trial at Bury but the move was his first proper spell away from the Boleyn Ground. He then enjoyed a terrific summer when he scored six goals including a couple in first-team friendlies and found himself on the fringes of the first team as the 2008-09 campaign got under way. He career took a major step forward with his first senior debut goal. Against Macclesfield Town, Hines entred as a 27th minute replacement for Valon Behrami and struck the third goal in a in a 4-1 win after extra time in the Carling Cup at Upton Park 27th August 2008. A knee problem then slowed his progress but the striker had stated his intent.
No.789 Herita ILUNGA ... (2008 - )
Kinshasa, Congolese 25/02/1982
TOULOUSE (France)
September 2008
One year loan deal
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Hawthorns 13th September 2008
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Herita quickly settled in at the Boleyn Ground having joined on transfer day on 1st September 2008 from French club Toulouse. After being linked with several clubs at home and abroad, the left-sided defender had headed to Wesr Ham United on an initial one-year loan deal with the option of a permanent transfer. Ilunga arrived with plenty of international experience, having established himself with his native DR Congo - including appearances at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations. He was a regular in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying and showed his goalscoring prowess against Egypt in the summer of 2008. However, the country failed to make it through the second stage of the continental qualifiers in October 2008 and saw their dreams of reaching the finals dashed. Illunga moved to Toulouse in 2007 and impressed in his 35 games in Ligue 1 and seven in the UEFA Cup in his first season. He has previously made his name during a four-year stay at St Etienne during which he played 136 games from 2003-07. His West Ham debut came in the 2-3 defeat by West Bromwich Albion on the 13th September 2008. Ilunga made am instant impression with his dogged defending and adventous play. So much so that he was named player of the month for October in a poll of fans.
No.790 David DI MICHELE ... (2008 - )
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Guidonia, Rome, Italy 06/01/1976
TORINO (Italy)
September 2008
Loan - season
WEST BROMWICH ALBION - Sub 19 mins
The Hawthorns 13th September 2008
TORINO (Italy)
Return Loan
22/8 (4 gls) Cup: 3/1 (0 gls)
The much travelled Italian striker Di Michele began his career with Lodigiani in the Italian Serie C1 between 1993 and 1996. He was then transferred to Foggia Calcio in the Italian Serie B. After playing just two seasons with Foggia he was transferred to Salernitana where he made his Serie A debut, however the following year Salernitana were relegated to Serie B. After two seasons with Salernitana he was allowed to join Udinese for the 2001/02 season. After the 2001/02 season with Udinese, he played two seasons with Reggina, only to be transferred back to Udinese in 2004/05. In the 2005/06 season, he played half a season with Udinese and took part in the UEFA Champions League. In a 2004/05 Coppa Italia match against Lecce, he scored 2 goals before replacing keeper Samir Handanovic in goal after the latter was sent off. He stopped a key penalty in the final minutes of the game to ensure a 5-4 victory for Udinese. Halfway through the season Di Michele's contract was sold to Palermo. He made his debut for Palermo in a Serie A home match against Parma, in which he scored two goals in a 4-2 win. In his 2005/06 season, Di Michele played 19 matches, scoring seven goals. With the Hammers securing a UEFA cup place for the 2006-07 campaign David came up against the Hammers whist playing for the Palermo club. In March 2007, Di Michele was found guilty of illegal betting and received a three month ban from Serie A. He also received a $27,000 fine. Betting wasn't illegal for Italian players until November 2005, but Di Michele, along with three others, placed bets through an illegal bookmaker. However, he was allowed to play in friendlies and to take part in training so he was able to retain match fitness. On 5th July 2007 Palermo announced they had sold him to Torino where he made 25 appearances with the granata, scoring a total 6 goals in the 2007/08 season. During September 2008, after weeks of rumours linking him to AS Roma, Di Michele was loaned to West Ham United, with an option for the Hammers to make the deal permanent. With the departure of Hammers manager Alan Curbishley, caretaker manager Kevin Keen gave the Italian his debut for West Ham in the 3-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion on 13th September 2008, coming on as a substitute for the injured Dean Ashton. In his second game on 20th September 2008, he scored his first goals in English football in the 3-1 home win against Newcastle United. Unable to win over the Upton Park faithful with often inept displays at the end of the season manager Gianfranco Zola did not take up the option of making the deal permanent.
