West Ham have named Gianluca Nani as their technical director, with the Italian charged with enhancing their international scouting network.Hammers boss Alan Curbishley travelled to Italy last week to discuss possible summer transfer targets with Nani, who has been working as sporting director at Brescia since 1999.

He will take up his new post in June.

On top of assisting Curbishley with all transfers, Nani will also be responsible for enhancing West Ham's international scouting network, developing the youth academy and improving the club's training ground facilities.

During his time at Brescia, the 45-year-old helped develop the talents of Italian World Cup winners Andrea Pirlo and Luca Toni at Brescia.

Curbishley said: "Gianluca is the person I need to help me in the recruitment at the club, venturing down into the academy level.

"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.

"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.

"We don't want to hear about a player going to another club and not have known anything about it.

"We expect the infrastructure of the club when it comes to recruitment will be beefed up, giving us a chance to get the best home grown players and foreign players.

"That is an area I feel we have been lacking."

As well as Italian, Nani speaks English and French and is fluent in Spanish.

Nani stressed he will join West Ham not just to attract foreign players but to remain true to the club's academy roots.

He said: "I am proud and honoured to be here at West Ham. I know it is a club full of history, I know West Ham play the right way.

"I met Alan and Scott Duxbury some months ago. We started to talk about the ambitions of the club. We have the same point of view.

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

Following confirmation of Nani's appointment, the West Ham board released a statement listing 10 key aims - starting with remaining successful in the Premier League, challenging for English trophies and qualifying for Europe.

West Ham managing director Scott Duxbury said: "West Ham's aim is to be successful in the Premier League and Europe.

"A key factor in this is the appointment of Gianluca Nani as the club technical director.

"The manager led the recruitment process and interviewed all the potential candidates. The club now has a major opportunity to grow and develop as a leading football force into the Premier League."

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