Explaining the decision to sign the experienced forward, he says:
"Brian Deane gives us an option that I feel we don't have in the squad; he obviously got Leicester out of this division last season and he is up to speed.
"He is a good character to have around the place, he is a winner and is fantastic value for us so I am looking forward to seeing him in a West Ham shirt.
"I think he is going to be fantastic value for us and I hope West Ham fans are going to enjoy seeing him out there whenever he plays."
Brian has previously played at Sheffield United, where he came from Doncaster, Leeds United, for whom he signed for £3m in 1993, Benfica, Middlesbrough and Leicester.
"It is a signing until the end of the season; you have to put it in its perspective and Brian Deane is here to help us get promoted.
"He will give everything he has got to do that, which is what I like about him."
Alan feels his physical presence will be a boost to the squad, and he adds:
"You obviously need your skill and flair to win a fair percentage of games but just now and again you need to call on a bit of character, grit, and determination - and Brian has that in abundance.
"It is important in this division with so many games to have options; he comes into that pool of strikers we have and I will select the two, or sometimes three, players that I think will get us the result.
"He was very keen to come and there is no transfer fee; Mickey Adams has done it as a reward for what he did for Leicester last year and we have got somebody who is going to cause trouble for teams when we start to dominate."
Brian has, as it were, been around the block in his career, and Alan adds:
"I don't think he would mind you saying that; he has moved for a lot of money in his time, of course, and played for some very very good clubs, so this won't faze him - and I think that is very important too.
"This is a big stage and every week we are getting a record attendance at the grounds we visit - and the opposition obviously want to beat us.
"But he is used to that scenario, and that is important."