The former West Ham defender Julian Dicks has returned to Upton Park as a full-time coaching assistant. The 46-year-old had two spells with the Hammers in the 80s and 90s and will form part of his former team-mate Slaven Bilic’s new backroom team after a season in charge of West Ham United Ladies.

“To be joining the first-team coaching staff at my club is fantastic news for me,” Dicks told the club’s official website.

“I was with the Ladies last year and I thoroughly enjoyed that, but to get the opportunity to work with Slaven, his coaching staff and the first-team players is a dream come true.

“This is a Premier League club with some very good players already in the squad and some more very good players set to come in this summer. It is exciting times for me and exciting times for West Ham.

“I met up with Slaven last week and, although we had not met in person for a few years, it was like we had never been apart. We had a hug and a kiss and sat down and talked all about West Ham and all about football.

“We had a great relationship when we played together in the same team here and I am sure we will work well together again as manager and coach.”

Dicks made 326 appearances in claret and blue between 1988 and 1999, with a single season at Liverpool breaking up his stay.