Former West Ham United player Julian Dicks has joined the club as a full-time coaching assistant.

Dicks, 46, had two playing spells at West Ham, winning Hammer of the Year four times, and is seen as something of a cult figure in the eyes of Hammers fans.

"This is a Premier League club with some very good players already in the squad and some more very good players set to come in this summer," Dicks told West Ham's official website. "It is exciting times for me and exciting times for West Ham.

"I met up with Slaven [Bilic] last week and, although we had not met in person for a few years, it was like we had never been apart. We had a hug and a kiss and sat down and talked all about West Ham and all about football.

"We had a great relationship when we played together in the same team here and I am sure we will work well together again as manager and coach."

Dicks joins the first-team coaching staff after a successful season in charge of West Ham United Ladies.