West Ham have appointed Mario Husillos as their director of football

West Ham have confirmed the appointment of Mario Husillos as their director of football.

The 59-year-old left his role as Malaga sporting director a week ago.

The Argentine had a long playing career, including time at Boca Juniors and Malaga, before moving into management at Almagro.

He eventually coached the Malaga B side before moving into the sporting director role, where he worked with new West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini when the Chilean was at the club.

Husillos told the West Ham website: "I am very excited. West Ham United is a club with huge ambition. The challenge to help deliver that ambition is what really attracted me to the role.

"I know the manager well and know he wants to deliver an exciting brand of attacking football. It will be my job to supply him with the tools to do just that.

"I am very much looking forward to working with Manuel Pellegrini again. We had great success together at Malaga, reaching the Champions League, and he is someone that I have huge respect for.

"I have seen West Ham play many times before. The fans are very passionate and close to the team, and I hope we can give them a team to be proud of next season."