Savio starting to shine

Just six weeks after signing from Brescia, new recruit Savio is beginning to demonstrate why Gianfranco Zola was so determined to bring him to east London.

The exciting 19-year-old forward has come on as a substitute in seven of the Hammers' eight games since he has been at the club and has made some telling contributions. The most important perhaps came against Manchester City last Sunday, when his superb run, turn and shot was saved only for Jack Collison to tap in the rebound for the winner.

Savio continued the excellent vein of form in the 1-0 win at Wigan Athletic when he came on for David Di Michele with 15 minutes to go. The German youth international put in a tireless shift to help see out a vital win for the ten-man Hammers. He could get more opportunities with the injuries to Jack Collison and Valon Behrami with more tests due on their injuries.

"I'm enjoying it and am very excited about the matches I am playing in. The team played a fantastic match at Wigan and deserved to win," Savio said. "The atmosphere is very good. The team is doing well and we are very happy. We are like a family more than a team and that's a very important thing."

Having already lived in Uganda, Germany and Italy, Savio has already experienced a variety of different cultures for his young age, so adapting to life in London has not been too tough for him. "London is a nice town and it's very big. I like living here. It has been everything I expected. It is fantastic to have the opportunity to play in a team like this and to do the things we are doing now.

"It is very good that we are seventh and we have a great opportunity. I am sure we can finish seventh and nothing is impossible. We have only to focus on the next match and doing well and at the end of the season we can see if it's enough."

CLICK HERE TO SAVIO'S INTERVIEW IN FULL ON WHUTV