Former Arsenal physio, Gary Lewin, has joined West Ham.

• Gary is the England national team’s physio
• Colin Lewin – Gary’s cousin – is Arsenal’s current physio
• Lewin played for West Ham as a goalkeeper in his school days

Lewin previously spent 22 years at Arsenal before leaving in 2008 so he could be England’s full-time physio but recently returned to cover for the Ladies’, Mary Shiels, while she was on maternity leave.

Lewin is over-the-moon to be joining the Hammers’ medical team considering he played for them in school.

“I am really looking forward to it,” he said.

“I have met Slaven a few times down the years, most memorably when I was sat on the bench when his Croatia team beat England at Wembley in 2007 to stop us qualifying for Euro 2008!

“Despite that, I am looking forward greatly to working with Slaven and also with Julian Dicks and Chris Woods, who I know from my time in football, his other backroom staff and all the players.”

The 53-year-old was the man credited with saving Eduardo da Silva’s career when he broke his leg back in 2008 and also saved John Terry’s life after Abou Diaby accidentally kicked him in the head, knocking him unconscious and causing him to swallow his tongue.

Lewin takes over from Stijn Vandenbroucke, who served as West Ham’s head of medical and sports science since February 2014, was deeply respected at the club so Gary has big shoes to fill. Although I think if anyone can do it, it’s him.