It has been announced that F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone plans to turn the nearly £500m Olympic Stadium into part of a proposed F1 track in London. That means there are four separate bids for the stadium: Ours, Orients, UCFB College of Football Business, and now F1. All I have to say is thank god!
West Ham have confirmed the signing of Mali international forward Modibo Maiga from Ligue 1 side Sochaux.
Maiga, who was close to signing for Newcastle in January before failing a medical, has signed a 4-year-deal for an undisclosed fee.
The 6ft 1in Malian can play either as a striker or as a winger and had caught the eye of several clubs across Europe after scoring 24 league goals in 59 league appearances for Sochaux.
Maiga told whufc.com: “I am really happy and excited about joining West Ham United.
“I know West Ham are a big club in England and I’m really looking forward to representing them. They have huge tradition and it is like joining part of a family and that is one of the main reasons why I wanted to come.
“I know some of the big names that have played for the club in the past and I am proud to be a part of a new team back in the Premier League.”
The 24-year-old, who has 24 caps for Mali, began his career at Stade Malien before joining Moroccan outfit Raja Casablanca where he won the Arab Champions League.
Despite scoring only two goals in 22 league appearances in Morocco, Maiga signed for Ligue 1 side Le Mans where he spent four years, scoring 15 goals in 88 appearances in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.
Sochaux signed Maiga in 2010, which is where the young forward began to attract interest from sides across Europe. Upon hearing of interest from Newcastle, the striker refused to play for Sochaux again in order to force through a move to England.
After failing a medical with the Magpies in January, Maiga was forced to continue playing until the end of the season.
Modibo Maiga is Sam Allardyce’s fifth signing of the summer as he tries to get his squad ready for the club’s first season back in the Premier League.
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As everyone should be aware by now, our very own James Tomkins made it into the Team GB Olympic Squad for the games.
There is no doubt that Upton Park or the Boleyn Ground, depending on your preference, has suffered more than most stadiums since the Taylor report all those years ago.
WIth about five weeks until the big kick-off, we’re all once again thinking about our Fantasy Football prospects for the new season.
As a result, West Ham World will be hosting its very own fantasy league on Sky Sports, Premier League and The Sun.
Currently it’s just Sky Sports that have opened their doors to new teams ahead of the 2012/2013 Premier League season, so below you’ll be able to find the details on how to join our league. They are all, of course, free to play.
The winner will win nothing but pride and bragging rights (unless we can conjure up some prizes throughout the season – watch this space!). Click here to register your team, if you haven’t already done so, and then use the details below to join our league.
Sky Sports Fantasy Football
League Name: West Ham World
Pin: 8004458
The Fantasy Football for both the Premier League and The Sun are very close to opening as well, so keep an eye out for the log-in details for our leagues over the next few weeks.
