West Ham United have signed AC Milan's combative midfielder Antonio Nocerino on loan for the rest of the season. The 28-year-old has 15 caps for Italy and once drew comparisons to Rossoneri great Gennaro Gattuso, but has been in and out of the side under Max Allegri and successor Clarence Seedorf this term. Nocerino's arrival at the Hammers comes after Milan agreed to sign Michael Essien from Chelsea. This move thus left Nocerino surplus to requirements at the San Siro. Fans of English football may remember Nocerino from Euro 2012. He converted one of the penalties in Italy's shootout quarter-final win over the Three Lions. Nocerino also counts Juventus and Palermo as former clubs. In other West Ham news, the East London outfit have had a reported £3.5 million bid for Championship top scorer and Leeds United captain Ross McCormack rejected. Sky Sports are also reporting that Sam Allardyce is closing in on Roma striker Marco Borriello. The 31-year-old wants regular football in the run to the World Cup as he hopes to make Azzurri national coach Cesare Prandelli's roster for Brazil. West Ham currently lie in the Premier League relegation zone above Sunderland and basement club Cardiff City on goal difference. All three sides have 18 points from 22 matches.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
