And West Ham Have Signed…(drumroll please)

By: Erick | September 1st, 2007

Nolberto Solano (from Newcastle) and Henri Camara (on loan from Wigan). For some strange reason I was really hopeful that West Ham would be able to land deals for Nicky Shorey from Reading and Giles Barnes from Derby County, but at this point I’ll take whatever we can grab. Eggert and Curbs apparently weren’t ready to throw huge sums of cash for either player who have very bright futures ahead of them. What we did sign are two experienced Premiership players who can come and fill the holes that have been caused by recent injuries. More so Nolberto Solano who can easily fill the right side of midfield which has seen Freddie Ljunberg and Kieron Dyer go down in that position. Camara who happens to be a Senegalese International player is a depth striker who can hopefully give Bobby Zamora a wake-up call. Solano should be ready for action against Reading later this morning, but Camara will have to wait until next weeks fixture to possibly make his West Ham United debut.

Here’s a run down on both sigings:

Nolberto Solano:

DOB: December 12, 1974

Place of Birth: Callao, Peru

Position: Midfielder

Club Career: (Apps/Goals)

1994-97 - Sporting Cristal, Peru - 77 apps 31goals

1997-98 - Boca Juniors - 32 apps 5 goals

1998-2004 - Newcastle United - 172 apps 29 goals

2004-05 - Aston Villa - 52 apps 9 goals

2005-07 - Newcastle United - 58 apps 8 goals

International Career

1994 - Present - Peru - 77 apps (caps) 20 goals

Nolberto was the first ever Peruvian player to appear in the Premier League when he signed for Newcastle United in 1998.
At Boca Juniors, Nolberto was a respected team-mate of Diego Maradona, who gave Nolberto the nickname “Little Maestro”
Nolberto was Aston Villa’s top scorer in the 2004-05 season. Before returning to Newcastle a season later.
He made his full international debut for Peru at the age of 18.
Nolberto is an accomplished trumpet player and has his own Salsa Band!

Henri Camara:

DOB: May 10, 1977

Place of Birth: Dakar, Senegal

Position: Striker

Club Career:

1999-2000 - Neuchatel Xamax, Switzerland - 32 apps 17 goals

2000-01 - Grasshoppers Club - Zurich - 11 apps 3 goals

2001-03 - CS Sedan Ardennes - 60 apps 22 goals

2003-05 - Wolverhampton Wanderers - 30 apps 7 goals

2004 - Celtic (loan) - 18 apps 8 goals

2005 - Southampton (loan) - 13 apps 4 goals

2005-07 - Wigan Athletic - 52 apps 18 goals

International Career:

1999- Present - Senegal - 46 apps (caps) 10 goals

Henri was a star performer for Senegal in their surprise run at the 2002 World Cup finals. He scored two goals, one a golden goal in Round 16 against Sweden.
He has also appeared in the 2004 and 2006 African Nations Cup squads
A forward, Henri can also play in an attacking midfield role.

Last but not least, here is the available squad for todays game at Reading:

Goalkeepers:

Green (GK), Wright (GK)

Defense:

Gabbidon, Spector, Upson, McCartney, Pantsil, Ferdinand, Neil and Collins

Midfield:

Mullins, Etherington, Bowyer, Reid, Noble, and Boa Morte

Forwards:

Bellamy, Ashton, and Cole

Still no Scott Parker and I’m not entirely sure why Zamora is out, but hopefully the Hammers won’t get destroyed at the Madejsky Stadium like they did last season. (Hammers lost 6-0)

GO HAMMERS!!!