West Ham confirm Nani as new technical director

The 45-year-old Italian has quit his sporting director role at Serie B side Brescia and will link up with the Irons in June.

He will be handed the task of enhancing the club's global scouting network and working alongside boss Alan Curbishley on transfers, as well as taking responsibility for developing the club's youth academy and training facilities.

"I am proud and honoured to be here at West Ham," Nani said.

"I know it is a club full of history, I know West Ham play the right way.

"I met Alan and (chief executive) Scott Duxbury some months ago. We have the same ambitions and point of view and will try to do a good job to go on and look forward, building a good staff."

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

Nani has forged a reputation for finding and devloping potential stars at Brescia, such as World Cup winners Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni.

He was also involved in the arrival of former world player of the year Roberto Baggio.

And he insists that he can do a similar job for the Irons, adding: "I have to help the club to build a system to discover in advance the best young players, to discover the talent that the manager needs and bring them here.

"We have to build the system and the staff to work that way looking forward in a global market."

However, he was also quick to stress the importance of keeping to the east London club's traditions.

"I knew that the Academy of West Ham was the best in England and maybe one of the best in the world for the players that have developed over the years," he said.

"We're in a global market and while we'll look for the best players coming from abroad, that doesn't mean we have to break the best Academy of England.

"We have to improve the English players too because the fans like to recognise those players.

"I know the history of West Ham and know that the fans are really passionate and that the football has to be played with passion and with happiness."

Curbishley himself believes that Nani's appointment can add a different dimension to the club to take it to the next level.

The Irons chief, who played a key role in Nani's appointment, is particularly eager to see a worldwide scouting network built up to get the club on an even keel with the world' biggest clubs.

"Gianluca is the person I need to help me in the recruitment at the club - certainly at senior level and venturing down into Academy level," said Curbishley.

"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.

"You can see at the top end of the Premier League that they've got people who are out there trying to bring that talent to the club and that's why we felt we needed to improve our area.

"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.

"I don't want to be in a position where someone goes to a club and we don't know anything about it.

"The existing staff at the club have been well-informed as to what is going to happen and we expect the infrastructure of the club, when it comes to recruitment, to be beefed up.

"That will give as much of a chance at securing English or foreign talent, young or senior players as the other clubs."

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