Hammers recruit former Boro defender Pogatetz on loan
TOUGH-TACKLING former Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz admits the lure of playing in England again convinced him to join West Ham on loan until the end of the season.
The Austria international, 30, completed his short-term move from German side Wolfsburg yesterday and could make his Hammers debut tomorrow at Fulham.
“First of all when I heard that West Ham wanted me, I thought it was a club I wanted to play for because they are a very traditional club, with passionate supporters,” said Pogatetz, who left Middlesbrough in 2010 after five seasons. “Secondly, it was good to have the opportunity to come back and play in England. This is the football I want to play and I have missed playing here.”
Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp, meanwhile, has blamed Twitter for undermining his chances of signing Peter Odemwingie, after West Brom rejected a second bid for the unsettled striker.
“It’s a bit of a difficult situation for West Brom,” he said. “It’s not worked out in an ideal way. The whole situation has become a bit too public. I think too many people get involved in Twitter.”
Rangers, who have been linked with Porto defender Rolando, host Premier League champions Manchester City tonight.