Sam Allardyce makes Abdoulaye Faye his first signing as West Ham boss

Sam Allardyce has made his first signing as West Ham manager by winning the race to secure the services of Stoke City centre-back Abdoulaye Faye.

The Senegal international will join the club when his contract expires for the Potters on June 30.

The 33-year-old has worked under Allardyce twice before, and was brought to the country in 2005, when he joined Bolton Wanderers.

During a six-year spell in the Premier League, Faye also played under the West Ham boss at Newcastle, before joining Stoke City in 2008.

“I am very happy to sign for West Ham,” Faye told the West Ham official website.

“I think this is a great club and a big, big club and I cannot wait to get started here.

“I can’t believe we are in the Championship because this club has everything – the stadium, and the fans – and I am happy to be here.

“I am looking forward to helping the team and I have confidence that we can go up because we have great players here. We have everything and I have confidence we can do up.

“I know many of the players who play for West Ham and I know many players want to play for West Ham because London is a big city and West Ham is a big club.”

It is thought that the opportunity to once again work under Allardyce attracted Faye to the Hammers, and the defender is looking forward to working with his former boss again.

“Sam is a very good manager and I am very pleased to be playing for his again – he gave me a chance here in England and he is someone who gives me confidence.

“He likes strong teams that work hard. He is a good manager – the best manager. He can get the best out of players and everyone respects him because he is a good manager. He will do well at West Ham.”

Faye is expected to be the first of several summer signings for West Ham as they look to rebuild their squad for life in the second tier of English football.