English Premier League: West Ham sign Barrera and Piquionne
West Ham have successfully completed the signing of two new players namely, Frederic Piquionne and Pablo Barrera. Piquionne was signed by West Ham from Lyon but the French player was already playing in the English Premier League last season as he was on loan from Lyon to Portsmouth, while Barrera was signed from Club Universidad Nacional A.C. also known as UNAM, UNAM is a professional soccer club based in Mexico.
West Ham’s new manager Avram Grant, who managed Portsmouth last season has started rebuilding the London club after West Ham barely survived in the English Premier League as they fought their way out of an end of the season, relegation battle. Piquionne impressed Grant, during his displays for his former club Portsmouth, which coincidentally Grant was managing last season.
Whereas, Barrera was pivotal for Mexico in their bid to reach the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2010, Barrera plays as a winger and made over 80 appearances for his ex-club UNAM, he also scored eighteen times for them during those appearances. Barrera started off his football career from UNAM, and West Ham will be Mexican’s second professional club ever since he started his career as a footballer.
Piquionne started his career in France with Nimes F.C. He only played a handful of matches for Nimes, when he was spotted by Rennes. Rennes signed Piquionne and the French striker scored only three goals for them in his first twenty matches for the club. He was soon signed by Saint-Etienne who benefitted from off-the field troubles Piquionne had been having at Rennes with his fellow team mates and manager.
In 2008, Lyon signed Piquionne from Saint-Etienne for 4.7 million Euros, after the French striker had just played only 53 times. Lyon sent Piquionne on a loan deal to the English Premier League club Portsmouth, which was beneficial for the French striker as he was not making a lot of first team appearances for the French champions. At Portsmouth, Piquionne played 45 games and scored 11 goals during those appearances and also played in the F.A Cup final at the Wembley stadium.
West Ham have paid around 1.2 million pounds to Lyon for the French striker’s services. Piquionne expressed his thoughts on signing for West Ham by saying that, he is familiar with Avram Grant and his managerial ways. He also said that he likes Grant and also thinks that Grant likes him as well. He added that last year at Portsmouth, the club itself had a lot of financial troubles but they still managed to reach the final of the F.A Cup under Avram Grant’s leadership.
He also stated that West Ham have the players to finish in the top half of the league table come the end of the 2010-2011 season, he also said that the squad at the London club has the capability to reach the League cup final or the F.A Cup as well.
Mexican winger Barrera also commented on his move to the English club, saying that he is happy to sign up with West Ham. He also added that he was surprised by the reception he received from the people at the club as well as the fans. He further remarked that he will use his speed and skill on the ball to thrill the West Ham supporters.
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