Hammers pull out of Pierini deal

Pierini has European experience with Fiorentina

West Ham will not be signing Italian international defender Alessandro Pierini from Fiorentina.

The two clubs had agreed a £4.5m fee for Pierini and the player travelled to London to finalise personal terms before undergoing a medical.

But the move has broken down for the 28-year-old centre-back who won his first international cap last season under former Fiorentina coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

"Press speculation about him signing was premature," said West Ham managing director Paul Aldridge on the club's website.

"Although the financial aspects were agreed with both the player and his club, there were a number of points that could not be resolved, and talks have now ended.

"It is a disappointment to ourselves and Alessandro that the deal will not be going ahead but we wish him all the best for the future."

Pierini said he had pulled out of the deal because his wife did not want to live in London.

"Our child is only three years old and after careful consideration we decided no to move," said Pierini.

"Knowing my family was not happy with the move, it would have affected my play."

Pierini, who joined the Florence club in 1999 from Udinese, was a key figure in the Fiorentina side last season.

But financial problems have forced the Serie A club, who are preparing to appear before the Italian High Court in September under the threat of bankruptcy, to sell their best players.