Glenn Roeder has secured the signing of Laurent Courtois - but has
decided not to make a bid for Aliou Cisse, who played the second of
two trial games at Rushden and Diamonds on Monday night.
Laurent was not present at Nene Park for the friendly against the football league's newcomers, but is not injured, as Glenn explains:
"He was at home attending a funeral, which is very sad.
"But I've been pleased with him and I'm looking forward to seeing how he does for us in the coming year."
Laurent comes on a free transfer from Toulouse, who were relegated a division this summer for financial irregularities.
He was recommended by Fredi Kanoute who played with him at youth level, and has filled in on the left hand side in friendly games that Joe Cole has missed through injury.
The player himself admitted another Premiership club was chasing his signature, but that West Ham was his first choice.
Glenn is not pursuing the signature of Cisse however, and told the PSG player at Chadwell Heath on Tuesday.
"We've had a look at him now for two games and I've spoken to him.
"I'd like to say thankyou to him for working hard in the two games he has played for us, but we will not be taking him at this stage."
So the search goes on for Glenn as he tries to bring in top class talent to Upton Park, and he admits:
"It is very frustrating; I've got a foreign trip on Wednesday night so hopefully it will be a fruitful one and we will be able to bring back a player in a day or two after that.
"But you never know; I've been on some trips already this year that have been quite poor."
As for speculation linking the club with former midfielder Don Hutchison, he says:
"There is nothing to say; we are just being linked with everybody at the moment."
Laurent was not present at Nene Park for the friendly against the football league's newcomers, but is not injured, as Glenn explains:
"He was at home attending a funeral, which is very sad.
"But I've been pleased with him and I'm looking forward to seeing how he does for us in the coming year."
Laurent comes on a free transfer from Toulouse, who were relegated a division this summer for financial irregularities.
He was recommended by Fredi Kanoute who played with him at youth level, and has filled in on the left hand side in friendly games that Joe Cole has missed through injury.
The player himself admitted another Premiership club was chasing his signature, but that West Ham was his first choice.
Glenn is not pursuing the signature of Cisse however, and told the PSG player at Chadwell Heath on Tuesday.
"We've had a look at him now for two games and I've spoken to him.
"I'd like to say thankyou to him for working hard in the two games he has played for us, but we will not be taking him at this stage."
So the search goes on for Glenn as he tries to bring in top class talent to Upton Park, and he admits:
"It is very frustrating; I've got a foreign trip on Wednesday night so hopefully it will be a fruitful one and we will be able to bring back a player in a day or two after that.
"But you never know; I've been on some trips already this year that have been quite poor."
As for speculation linking the club with former midfielder Don Hutchison, he says:
"There is nothing to say; we are just being linked with everybody at the moment."