Hearts midfielder David Obua has confirmed West Ham were keen to sign him before he followed manager Csaba Laszlo to Tynecastle.The Ugandan secured a work permit allowing him to move to Scotland on Wednesday, and he revealed working with his former national team coach at club level was precisely the challenge he was looking for.

However Obua, who is recovering from a rib injury, admits his career could have followed a different path if Laszlo was not lured to Edinburgh by Hearts last month.

"It is always the manager's influence which has a bearing on a player and I have worked with Csaba for the past two years with Uganda," Obua told the club's official website.

"He is the person who has really made me who I am today. West Ham United and Chievo were interested in signing me but Csaba is the reason I decided to come to Hearts."

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