Breen becomes a Hammer

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND World Cup star Gary Breen has joined West Ham United on a Bosman ruling after the experienced central defender failed to agree an extension of his contract with First Division Coventry City at the end of last season.

Breen admitted that the chance to link up with Hammers boss Glenn Roeder was one of the main reasons to join the London Premiership club.

The defender, who played briefly with Roeder when he was a 19-year-old at Gillingham, said: “The main factor was certainly Glenn. I have worked with him before and hope to learn even more now that I have signed. I had a lot of fantastic offers from abroad, but I thought it best to stay in the Premiership.

I feel I have made the right decision.” Italian Serie A club Parma were reported to be interested at one stage as were West Ham’s Premiership rivals Everton and Southampton. Breen decided to stay in England to further his international career under Mick McCarthy: “At this stage of my career, I felt it was best to stay in the Premiership to consolidate my position with Ireland and possibly get honours with them.

In the past I have worked with Glenn Roeder at Gillingham who played in my position. I expect to play the best football of my career and feel that I am coming to my prime now and that my best football is ahead of me. Fingers crossed I can learn more from Glenn in the next four or five years when I will be coming to my best form.”

West Ham managing director Paul Aldridge said: “We are delighted to have secured the services of another World Cup star. We look forward to seeing Gary settle in at Upton Park. He will get a great welcome from our fans.”

Breen had an outstanding World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea winning his 47th cap in the 1-1 draw with Spain in Suwon. First capped by Mick McCarthy in 1996 when Ireland lost 2-0 to Portugal in a friendly at Lansdowne Road, Breen has scored six goals for his country.

A potential future captain of Ireland, Breen’s move to a Premiership side will please manager McCarthy who always hoped his squad would perform regularly at the highest level. Breen has had something of a nomadic career since starting with Maidstone.

Then followed spells with Charlton Athletic, Gillingham, Peterborough, Birmingham City, Coventry City and now West Ham United. The contract is believed to be for one year with another year’s option although his stay at Upton Park is likely to be of a much longer duration.

Meanwhile, West Ham yesterday insisted Manchester United have not made another enquiry about Paolo di Canio. Alex Ferguson failed to land the mercurial Italian in March, but speculation has grown over the weekend that the Old Trafford chief could reinvest around half of his £2m windfall from Dwight Yorke’s transfer to Blackburn in di Canio.

The 34-year-old striker, out of contract next summer, has been touted as the man Ferguson wants to sign before the August 31 transfer deadline, but Hammers spokesman Peter Stewart said: ‘‘It’s just speculation. We’ve had no approach from Manchester United. Constant speculation doesn’t help the manager, but it’s the way football is now. Most clubs have to endure it at some point or other.’’

Old Trafford chief executive Peter Kenyon, speaking after the £30m swoop for Rio Ferdinand claimed United’s summer spending was over.