Di Canio, Foe to hammer opposition
Posted: Wednesday January 27, 1999 03:52 PM
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Di Canio said he is happy now that he can play, in his opinion, for a better team than Sheffield Wednesday Laurence Griffiths/Allsport |
LONDON (AP) -- Banned for 11 games for pushing over a referee, Italian forward Paolo Di Canio transfered from Sheffield Wednesday to West Ham on Wednesday and looked forward to his first game since that infamous shove.
"I made a mistake. It was a bad mistake. Now I just want to play again," the 30-year-old former Lazio, Juventus, AC Milan, Napoli and Glasgow Celtic player said on his arrival at Upton Park.
"Now I'm here to play good football for my new club. I've paid a big price and now I want to play again." *
The talented but volatile Di Canio hasn't played since September 26 when he reacted to being expelled by Paul Alcock by pushing the referee over in Wednesday's game against Arsenal.
He spent his suspension back home in Italy and, complaining that he got poor support from Wednesday, delayed his return for so long that he ran up some 200,000 pounds (US$334,000) in fines issued by the club. He should have returned in late December.
Moving to West Ham on a 3 1/2-year contract and for a 2 million pound (US$3.34 transfer) fee, he also says he wasn't that impressed by Wednesday anyway.
"I'm very happy, because I can play for a better team than Sheffield Wednesday in my personal opinion," Di Canio said at Wednesday's news conference. *
The Hammers had another new signing on show.
Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe has signed from French champion Lens for 4 million pounds (US$6.68 million) on a 5 1/2 year deal and is expected to make his debut against Wimbledon on Saturday.
"Marc is an exceptional player," said Hammers manager Harry Redknapp. "He would have signed for Manchester United if he hadn't picked up an injury and they don't sign many bad players."
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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