The one player Slaven Bilic wanted to sign above all others this summer will be missing from the West Ham team when they face Newcastle tonight.

Bilic was delighted with the club’s deadline day business but it was the first of four late arrivals who really put a smile on his face.

Alex Song, once of Arsenal and still a Barcelona player, has returned for a second loan spell in East London and although he is recovering from an ankle operation which could keep him out until late October, both the manager and the player himself could not be happier.

The 28-year-old Cameroonian’s CV is impressive — six years at Arsenal followed by a £15 million move to Barcelona in 2012 and winning the La Liga title in his first season after playing 20 games.

Last season, West Ham pulled off something of a coup by tempting him and his family back to London — their favourite city — and now he has returned to play under a new West Ham manager in Bilic.

There is no sign of arrogance, though, from a player who has shared a dressing room with Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

“It’s a real pleasure to be back,” says Song. “I had a very good season here last season. I felt comfortable here and the fans were very good to me.

"When you see those big players who have achieved a lot of things, you have an impression of what they could be like but it is not the reality. We shared everything at Barcelona and we do the same at West Ham." Alex Song

“It could be a big contrast I suppose because of the name and reputation of the players at Barcelona.

“When you get to know them though, it is different. We shared a lot of things at Barcelona and it is the same here. When you get to know these players personally you realise they are not the same as what you see on the pitch.

“I was a bit shocked when I signed for Barcelona. I had played against most of their players but I hadn’t shared a dressing room with them — I didn’t know them at all.

“When I went into the dressing room I didn’t know what to expect but they were laughing and joking. I didn’t expect that but Barcelona are a family club and when I came here to West Ham, it had the same feeling.

“I appreciate that humility a lot. When you see those big players who have achieved a lot of things, you have an impression of what they could be like but it is not the reality. We shared everything at Barcelona and we do the same at West Ham.

“You can’t buy that atmosphere — it is so important. When I arrived at West Ham the fans gave me a big welcome and I felt at home immediately.

“My family also felt that way and last summer, despite the speculation, in my head I was always coming back here because I was so happy.”

An ankle injury added uncertainty to Song’s summer but he says: “When I spoke to the manager he told me he wanted me here. At the end of the transfer window there were two or three very big clubs who came in but I said ‘no’ because I had given him [Slaven Bilic] my word.

“I had stayed in contact with him through the summer. He had always said, ‘I really want you to come’ and the feeling between us was very good.

“The first day he came to West Ham he spoke with me and I couldn’t let him down. I had given him my word. He had given me confidence with what he had told me and I could not break my word.It hasn’t been easy because of the injury but I work very hard now and when I return I will try very hard to repay him for the faith he has shown in me.

“The first half of last season went very well but then later I wasn’t 100 per cent and I faded a bit. Perhaps I have to learn from that and when that happens, I have to come out.

“It has been frustrating because I am 28 now and I have never been out injured for more than five weeks.”

When Song does return, he is relishing playing in the same midfield as another of the club’s signings, Dimitri Payet.

“Dimitri will be a very good player for us,” he says. “I know him already because I watch the French League and he has been at Marseille and before that, Lille.

“He has a lot of quality and I am looking forward to playing with him. He has come to a new country, a new club and different football but from that first game at Arsenal, he looked so good.

“With him in midfield and players like Mark Noble and Cheikhou Kouyate who has started the season well, West Ham look very strong.”

Song remains optimistic about the club’s final season in their old home. “We always have to look up,” he says.

“We should be looking to finish higher and this year we can do something. The most important thing is we have the best job in the world and we should enjoy it. We have to give some love to the fans because sometimes it can be hard but they are always there.”