Former West Ham defender Anwar Uddin has returned to the club where his playing career began as an academy coach. Uddin was skipper of the last Hammers team to win the FA Youth Cup, when the academy side featuring Michael Carrick and Joe Cole lifted the trophy in 1999.

"It's hot off the press really," said the former Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol Rovers player.

"I was contemplating stopping playing and throughout my career I've done all my coaching badges because I used to finish training at 1 o'clock and I didn't want to play the Xbox all day.

"Tony Carr got in touch with me and said if you're thinking about stopping and want to coach, you're not going anywhere but here.

"I think the club is on a really amazing path and it would be fantastic for me to get onto that path and work with their academy and youngsters because that's where it started for me."

Uddin, who holds a UEFA B coaching license, became the first British Asian to hold a coaching position in League football when he was appointed player-assistant manager at Barnet in 2011.

"It's a bit romantic really, and when the opportunity came, I think that put to bed my playing career," the 31 year old said.

"The club has changed since I was there with the attention to detail in terms of young players and how they want to invest for the future and their plans for the Olympic Stadium.

"It's a route I think I am destined to take."