West Ham United unveiled the appointment of Mario Husillos as Director of Football and his track record makes for good reading.
West Ham announced the capture of the experienced Argentinian after a spell as sporting director at Malaga, where he struck up a superb working relationship with new boss Manuel Pellegrini.
Their time together turned out to be the most successful period in the Spanish side’s history and West Ham fans will be hoping for a repeat in East London.
Husillos is credited with landing a number of outstanding players during his time in Spain as Malaga made the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Here’s nine of the best players West Ham’s new director of football signed in the past which will excite Hammers fans.
Isco
Husillos helped Malaga snap up the now Real Madrid and Spain star Isco up for just £5 million from Valencia’s B team.
He scored 14 goals in 69 appearances and provided lots of assists before being sold on to Real for nearly £30 million.
Santi Carzola
The little Spanish wizard was signed for £20 million when Husillos was at Malaga. It was a real coup for the club and Carzola was the team’s star player leading them to fourth in La Liga and Champions League qualification for the first time in their history before being sold to Arsenal.
Nacho Monreal
Arsenal and Spain defender Nacho Monreal was signed for just £3.5 million by Malaga and alongside the likes of Carzola helped Malaga to their best ever season. He was later sold to Arsenal for around £8 million.
Joaquin
Much-loved winger Joaquin was signed by Husillos for a bargain £3.5 million and was another of the Spanish contingent to help Malaga into the Champions League for the first time.
Jeremy Toulalan
France international Jeremy Toulalan was quite a coup for Malaga when Husillos identified him as a key player for the heart of the club’s midfield. After signing for over £8 million his first season was hit by injury after a promising start but Toulalan was one of the players who formed part of Malaga’s brilliant side before being sold on to Monaco.
Javier Saviola
Husillos used his Argentine links to bring deadly compatriot Javier Saviola to Malaga for their first ever season in the Champions League. It was quite a coup even if the striker was past his best, he still netted nine goals appearing mostly as a substitute.
Roque Santa Cruz
Fans will be familiar with Roque Santa Cruz from his time at Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers. Again it was something of a coup for the club but his abilities were on the wane at the time but he managed 26 goals in 109 games for the club.
Guillermo Ochoa
The Mexico goalkeeper was a big name signing for Malaga but hardly played and made just 19 appearances in two seasons before being loaned out to Granada.
Ruud van Nistelrooy
Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was a marquee signing for Husillos on a one-year deal at Malaga.
The Dutchman was greeted by 15,000 fans after joining the club but scored just five goals in 32 games before retiring.
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