Savio cleared to play

Savio has been cleared to play for West Ham United, which means he could make his debut in this evening's Barclays Premier League game against Hull City. 

The club was informed on Wednesday afternoon that international clearance had been granted by the English and Italian FAs, so manager Gianfranco Zola must decide if Savio will make his debut under the Boleyn Ground floodlights as United bid to maintain a fine run of form that has seen them unbeaten in six matches in all competitions.

The Germany Under-20 international, who arrived from Italian side Brescia Calcio for an undisclosed fee on a four-and-a-half year contract, was born in the Ugandan capital Kampala before his family moved to the German city of Munich when he was just two. After impressing for TSV 1860 Munich, where he played for seven years, Savio was spotted by Brescia's then-technical director Gianluca Nani in 2005.

Now 19, the player - who speaks English, German and Italian - has followed Nani to the Boleyn Ground. As he begins life in his fourth country, Savio revealed that the prospect of linking up with his former mentor and working with Zola had attracted him to east London ahead of a host of leading Serie A clubs.

"The deciding factor was absolutely the coach and the director. I know Nani very well and the point was important to me to have someone that I know and who believes in me. I heard of him [Zola] before because he was a big player. I don't want to say he was like me but he had characteristics like a very nice technique. He and the director were the two most important reasons why I came to West Ham."

Savio, who left his family behind when he moved to Italy at the age of 16, enjoyed his time at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti. Now, though, he is relishing the opportunity to show West Ham United's supporters what he can do in what he considers the best league in Europe.

"I can play in a lot of positions but I would say maybe left winger or also in attack. I played most of my games on the left. I prefer that but I can also play on the right side. The Premier League is very good football and probably the strongest league in Europe. I like English football. I do think it is suited to my game."