Hammers capture strike duo

West Ham beat the transfer deadline to sign Middlesbrough striker Mido and free agent Brazilian forward Ilan until the end of the season.

Mido signed a one-season loan deal with Egyptian side Zamalek last summer but failed to impress at the club where he began his career 11 years ago, prompting West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola to make a move for the striker. He has signed on loan until the end of the season, while Ilan has clinched a six-month contract following his recent release from French club St Etienne.

The Hammers have been desperate to add to their squad since millionaires David Gold and David Sullivan bought the cash-strapped club two weeks ago and they completed the signing of Benni McCarthy from Blackburn earlier on Monday.

Zola's side are without a win since Boxing Day and 26-year-old Mido is desperate to aid West Ham's bid for survival. "I'm here to prove a point. It is a great club and I'm sure I will do well here," he told Sky Sports News.

Source: PA