West Ham legend Paolo di Canio played a major role in persuading Hammers new boy Valon Behrami to join the east Londoners.

The Switzerland international completed a £5 million move from Lazio yesterday, after having positive talks with former team-mate Di Canio.

"I talked to Paolo many times,” Behrami told the club’s official website. “He talked a lot about West Ham but also about football in this country and in particular The Premier League.

”So that is why it is a dream come true for me and I am very happy to be here."

And Behrami hopes he can play a major role in helping the Hammers end their search for silverware.

He added: "West Ham have brilliant prospects for the future and that was one of the very important things for me in making the decision to come here and play.

“I am an ambitious person who has goals and I want to play for a team who wants to win things and I can see that ambition is here at the club."

[Guardian-Series]

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