Former Sheffield Wednesday No 1 Woods steps into coaching role at West Ham

The 55-year-old, who won 43 caps for his country between 1985 and 1993, will become part of new manager Slaven Bilic’s backroom team as the Hammers prepare for the 2015/16 Barclays Premier League campaign.

Woods said: “I am thrilled to be joining West Ham United. It is a club with a great history and tradition.

“I’ve known Slaven from my time at Everton and we go back a long way even though we have gone on our different paths since he left Goodison Park.

“It will be great for me to get back working alongside him and I am pleased to be given the opportunity.

“Slaven has his own ideas and puts his own stamp on the team that he manages.”

The Hammers also confirmed the departures of four members of their first-team backroom staff - assistant manager Neil McDonald, first-team coach Ian Hendon, goalkeeper coach Bobby Mimms and head of recruitment Martyn Glover.

Lincolnshire-born Woods has previous coaching experience from stints with Everton and Manchester United, and with the United States national team.

“It is certainly an exciting time for me to be coming to West Ham and I am looking forward to working with the goalkeepers,” he added.

“I saw Adrian in action last season and I will be hoping to bring something to his game and the other keepers at the club.

“It is brilliant for the club to be back in Europe (courtesy of finishing top of the Fair Play table) and you want to be playing in the top competitions.”

Woods had a long and successful playing career with Norwich, Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday, and travelled to four major tournaments with England before moving into coaching in 1998.