Glenn Roeder says that Mirsad Hibic has the right credentials to be
a hit at Upton Park - if his work permit is secured next week.
In fact, he would not be the first Bosnian to play in England - Coventry City's Mo Konjic takes that honour - so the precedent has been set for Mirsad to get the all-clear towards the end of next week.
"I am hopeful we will be able to bring him to the club and even more hopeful he can have a successful career with us," says Glenn.
"I went to Madrid to see him recently and he did very well - he was very impressive.
"He is the captain of his country and in the past has been a member of the stronger Croatian squad.
"I think we have secured him at a good price but, just as important, he can be an outstanding player for us.
"He has got a lot of experience and in the coming season we will want him to put that experience to good use."
The central defender, who is leaving Atletico Madrid after they just missed out on promotion to La Liga last season, will immediately start taking English lessons in preparation for the move with his family.
He was, in fact, a team mate of former Hammers Slaven Bilic and Davor Suker in the Croatian squad for Euro 96 when he was just 23.
Outlining Hibic's qualities, Glenn says:
"He is very comfortable on the ball for a central defender; he plays off his left foot and passes very well.
"He attacks the ball in the air, and the night I saw him he won the majority of his headers.
"He is strong and he has some pace as well, so I'm really looking forward to him coming to our club."
But Glenn will have to wait for the formalities to be completed and adds:
"He certainly won't make it for Saturday and I don't even know if he will make it for the Leeds game."
In fact, he would not be the first Bosnian to play in England - Coventry City's Mo Konjic takes that honour - so the precedent has been set for Mirsad to get the all-clear towards the end of next week.
"I am hopeful we will be able to bring him to the club and even more hopeful he can have a successful career with us," says Glenn.
"I went to Madrid to see him recently and he did very well - he was very impressive.
"He is the captain of his country and in the past has been a member of the stronger Croatian squad.
"I think we have secured him at a good price but, just as important, he can be an outstanding player for us.
"He has got a lot of experience and in the coming season we will want him to put that experience to good use."
The central defender, who is leaving Atletico Madrid after they just missed out on promotion to La Liga last season, will immediately start taking English lessons in preparation for the move with his family.
He was, in fact, a team mate of former Hammers Slaven Bilic and Davor Suker in the Croatian squad for Euro 96 when he was just 23.
Outlining Hibic's qualities, Glenn says:
"He is very comfortable on the ball for a central defender; he plays off his left foot and passes very well.
"He attacks the ball in the air, and the night I saw him he won the majority of his headers.
"He is strong and he has some pace as well, so I'm really looking forward to him coming to our club."
But Glenn will have to wait for the formalities to be completed and adds:
"He certainly won't make it for Saturday and I don't even know if he will make it for the Leeds game."