West Ham have appointed Arsenal veteran Gary Lewin as their new medical chief, it has been confirmed.
The club announced on their official website on Tuesday evening that they had appointed the vastly-experienced professional to their backroom team and his title will be head of medical services.
Lewin, 53, is one of the most reputable medical professionals in English football, and boasts more than 22 years of experience, serving dual roles as physiotherapist for both Arsenal and the England national team.
He served as head physiotherapist at Arsenal between 1980 and 2008, enhancing his reputation before narrowing his medical duties solely to the international stage.
But he left his role with the FA after England’s miserable Euro 2016 campaign, only to then seal a short-term return to Arsenal to take up a role with the Ladies’ team.
However, Lewin has embarked upon a route to bring himself back to the men’s stage with West Ham, a club for whom he previously served as goalkeeper during the early days of his playing career.
He will likely have his work cut out, as the Hammers’ first-team squad have been plagued by injuries in recent seasons. They finished the 2016-17 campaign with as many as six senior players in the treatment room.
His arrival at the London Stadium comes hand-in-hand with the departure of Stijn Vandenbroucke, who steps aside from his role as Head of Medical and Sports Science.
Vandenbroucke gave more than six years of service to West Ham’s medical team, but leaves the club in pursuit of a new challenge, paving the way for Lewin’s arrival.