Late swoop for Hammers player

CRISTIAN Montano should be in the squad for tomorrow’s game at MK Dons, after signing a two-year contract with Athletic.

The quick forward (20), who if eligible is likely to be employed in a role wide on the left at stadium:mk, has swapped life at Premier League new boys West Ham for Boundary Park after spending time training with the club.

Montano weaved his way in to score in front of watching Dickov is the midweek friendly against Newcastle’s second string at Chapel Road and Athletic have submitted the relevant paperwork prior to the noon deadline in the hope that the Colombia-born player can feature tomorrow.

Montano holds a dual nationality and grew up through the ranks at Upton Park after moving to England, joining as a 12-year-old and penning a professional deal in 2010.

Last season, he had two loan spells at Notts County and one apiece at Swindon, Dagenham and Oxford. His record in 2011-12 reads 39 appearances, with 10 goals. He can also operate as a striker and is due to meet up with the squad at their hotel today.

If the deal has been registered in time, Montano, who has the option for a third year built into his deal, could step into the side for Youssouf Mchangama as a more natural left-sided player for the opening-day test at MK Dons.

"Cristian is another piece of the jigsaw and a left-sided player who is quick and talented," Paul Dickov told the club's website, revealing the player turned down two offers from Italy and one from France.

"He is left footed but can play on either wing and he loves to take on opponents and to get in crosses and shots. He can also play up front so he gives us lots of options.

"I gather he could have stayed at West Ham, but he was keen to move because of his wish to play football rather than being a squad player."

Dickov is also looking forward to seeing his former Arsenal mentor Ian Wright, now a first-team coach by the Dons. “He was a massive influence on my career when I was a kid coming through at Highbury.

“There is never a dull moment with him around and I don’t expect there to be tomorrow,” said Dickov.

Athletic’s manager is confident ahead of the game and is expecting 2012-13 to be full of surprise results: “It will tighter than ever. I don’t think any team is nailed on to win.”






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