What were your initial impressions of West Ham and English football? You often played alongside Paolo Di Canio – what was he like?

I really liked it. I think it coincided with the fact that I suddenly had to become a man. I was in England on my own and had to make it work.

We got on very well as players, but didn’t have too much contact away from football. We were thinking more about the success of the team than whether or not we were good pals. People have different views about many things, so he