The Hammers were hampered by an horrific injury list last term, with the treatment room head count regularly in double figures as the likes of Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy, Bobby Zamora, Lee Bowyer and Matthew Etherington missed huge chunks of the season

Holohan, who arrived at Layer Road two years ago having previously been part of Great Britain's Admiral's Cup team, has been appointed West Ham's new strength coach as part of manager Alan Curbishley's new-look backroom staff at Upton Park.

"It's a massive club and it's interesting what they are looking at doing this season," Holohan told Colchester's official website.

"They had a lot of injuries last year and what has come out of their end-of-season review was that they realised they wanted to increase the size of their fitness department and get more specialists in.

"There is much to be excited about, not least working in the pressure environment of the Premier League."