Ilan has told West Ham United fans he's the man to keep them up - just like he did with St Etienne last year.

The Brazilian, St Etienne's skipper at the time, scored the first goal on the final day of last season in a 4-0 win against Valenciennes that saw his side escape trouble.

"The club was going through relegation danger and I scored a goal on the last day to help us survive," Ilan told the Mirror.

"At St Etienne I was captain for the second half of the season. We needed to win and another result to go our way on the final day.

"As a skipper representing the club and the supporters, it felt as good as if you win the league. That was an achievement and if I can do the same for West Ham I would be very happy."