In part one I covered Javier Margas, Maurico Taricco, Lionel Scaloni, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano HERE
The sixth South American Hammer was Peru’s Nolberto Solano who signed a one-year contract with West Ham United in August 2007 after previously playing for Newcastle and Aston Villa. He made his debut for West Ham in October 2007, coming on as a second half substitute in the 3–1 home win against Sunderland, and was instrumental in West Ham’s second goal, his shot being deflected into the Sunderland goal by goalkeeper, Craig Gordon. His first goal for West Ham was a free-kick and the fifth goal in West Ham’s 5–0 away win against Derby County on 10 November 2007. In the last game of the season on 11 May 2008 Solano scored his second free-kick goal, against Aston Villa, the match ended 2–2. He was released by West Ham when his contract expired at the end of the 2007–08 season having scored four goals in 23 appearances. Solano took the first step into coaching as the part-time first-team coach of Newcastle Benfield in 2012.In June 2012, he was confirmed as manager of Peruvian Primera División club Universitario de Deportes although he was released by the club in December 2012. He is currently the head coach of Canadian semi-professional team Internacional de Toronto, from League1 Ontario.
Uruguay left-back Walter Lopez became the seventh South American to pull on a Hammers shirt on 5th September 2008. He was described by Kevin Keen (caretaker manager at the time) as “an attacking full-back” and “another West Ham type player” referring to his fluent attacking style of play reminiscent of former West Ham players. He made his debut for West Ham United in a League Cup third round tie away defeat at Watford on 23 September 2008. He made his Premier League debut as a late substitute in West Ham’s 1–0 win over Manchester City on 1 March 2009.However, López failed to cement a place in the first team due to the presence of Congolese international Hérita Ilunga and was subsequently released by West Ham at the end of the 2008–09 season. He returned to Uruguay and signed for Primera División side Cerro. Age 28 now he is still playing football for Italian club US Lecce in the Lega Pro Prima Divisione.
Chile midfielder Luis Jimenez was the eighth South American to sign for West Ham, Jiménez signed for West Ham United on 23rd June 2009. Although a work permit had been granted a couple of weeks before, the deal was only announced after personal terms were agreed. West Ham signed Jiménez for a one year loan initially, with an option to purchase at the end of the loan period.He made his full debut for West Ham in their 2–0 away win against Wolves on 15 August 2009. He scored his only goal for West Ham, a penalty and West Ham’s fifth, in a 5–3 home win against Burnley on 28 November 2009. He made 11 appearances with that that one goal from a penalty. He left West Ham when his loan completed. Now age 30 he plays for Al-Ahli Dubai. He had a successful first season, scoring 13 goals and featuring in most of it. In the 2012-2013 season, he won the Presidents Cup with Al Ahli. He has made 68 appearances for Al-Ahli in the Middle East scoring 33 goals.
In September 2009 Guillermo Franco became the ninth South American born player to sign for the Hammers. He signed for West Ham United on a one-year contract, Franco was born in Corrientes, the capital city of the Corrientes Province in Argentina. Franco began his footballing career with Argentine Primera División side San Lorenzo, playing with the team from 1996 to 2002 mainly as a right winger. He moved to Mexico in 2002 and became a Mexican citizen in 2004. In September 2009, it was disclosed that due to West Ham’s perilous financial situation following former chairman Björgólfur Guðmundsson’s financial collapse, West Ham’s CEO Scott Duxbury, and their Sporting and Football Technical Director Gianluca Nani, had part financed the Franco deal from their own salaries. Franco made his debut for West Ham on 17th October 2009 in a 2–1 away defeat to Stoke City. He scored his first goal for the team on 31 October 2009 to put them 1–0 up against Sunderland away from home, in a game that finished 2–2. On 24th April 2010, Franco assisted Scott Parker, who scored for the winner in a 3–2 victory against Wigan Athletic; a win which would see them safe from relegation. In May 2010, despite his wish to stay at the club at which he made 23 appearances and scored 5 goals, it was announced that West Ham had released Franco. In September 2012 Franco signed with Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire On 21st January 2013 the club announced Franco’s contract option was not picked up for the new season and he announced his retirement from football 8 days later.
West Ham United’s tenth South American was Brazilian forward Ilan, who signed 1st February 2010, West Ham United confirmed the signing of Brazilian forward Ilan on a six-month contract. He was available on a free transfer after leaving French club AS Saint-Etienne in January. He made his debut for West Ham on 6 February in 2–1 away defeat against Burnley. He replaced Mark Noble in the 77th minute and scored three minutes later. In March 2010 the press speculated that Ilan had openly criticised manager Gianfranco Zola; a claim later refuted by the player and the club. After nine games without scoring for West Ham United, Ilan scored his second goal on the 87th minute against Everton to make it 2-2 all on 4 April 2010. The following week, Ilan scored the only goal in the game in a 1-0 win over Sunderland. After the impressive performances against Everton and Sunderland, Ilan hoped to win a long-term deal at West Ham 14 days later, Ilan scored the opener at 31 minutes in a 3-2 win over Wigan on 24 April 2010.
On 2 June 2010 West Ham announced that they would be releasing Ilan as his was surplus to requirements. He made 11 appearances and scored 4 goals. Now age 33 he currently plays football for Ligue 1 club Bastia after a two years where he scored 3 goals from 23 appearances last season.