Two West Ham United employees helped fund the signing of Guillermo Franco, it has been revealed.

The London Evening Standard says chief executive Scott Duxbury and technical director Gianluca Nani made the gesture after the deal looked close to collapse last week.

Despite Franco, 32, having been signed on a free transfer, the move hit a sticking point over a number of payments to both the player and agent.

Duxbury and Nani agreed to take a hit on their annual salary to ensure the player would join the east London club.