Hammers sign up fitness coach

2:41pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

WEST Ham have made what could turn out to be one of their most important signings of the summer.

Donough Holohan has joined Upton Park from Colchester United and will be the club's new sports scientist and fitness coach.

The Irishman leaves Layer Road after two years in Essex and will be helping Alan Curbishley avoid the massive injury crisis which befell his team last season.

On occasions the Irons boss had 15 first team members ruled out of contention, including a number of long term casualties who were on the sidelines for months.

But Holohan is looking forward to the task ahead.

"It's a massive club and it's interesting what they are looking at doing this season," he told the Colchester FC website.

"They had a lot of injuries last year and what has come out of their end-of-season review was that they realised they wanted to increase the size of their fitness department and get more specialists in.

"There is much to be excited about, not least working in the pressure environment of the Premier League."