Former Hammer joins Everton

Everton have appointed former Hammers striker Frederic Piquionne to their Women’s team backroom staff.

Piquionne who moved into coaching with Paris Saint-Germain’s women’s team – has joined as assistant manager of the Toffees ladies.

Freddy is a name that will always be associated with a torrid season under Avram Grant for West Ham fans, although there are a few happy memories connected with the player.

The Martiniquais striker was recruited by the Hammers prior to the ill-fated 2010/2011 campaign, costing just over £1m from French club Lyon – Piquionne had impressed during the previous term on loan at Portsmouth in the Premier League.

However, the rest of the campaign wasn’t kind to Piquionne or the Irons as only four further strikes could be added, and the club were sent tumbling down to the second tier.

Many expected the Frenchman to depart that summer, but he stayed and grabbed a handful of Championship goals, ultimately helping Sam Allardyce’s men to get back to where they belonged via the play-offs.

But, a loan to Doncaster Rovers would be the beginning of the end for Piquionne at Upton Park and eventually, he left early in the following year.

A new challenge in Major League Soccer would await for the frontman as he hooked up with Portland Timbers, although this move didn’t work out and he was back to France with Creteil.