West Ham United Starlet Diego Poyet Apologises for Branding Club 'Scum' in 2012 Tweet

West Ham United midfielder Diego Poyet has issued an apology after it emerged he labelled his new club "scum" two years ago.

The 19-year-old tweeted: "we hate West Ham #scum", before the Hammers met Brighton, then managed by his father Gus, in a Championship clash in 2012.

Poyet, who completed his move to Upton Park from Charlton Athletic this summer, has been forced to explain his earlier derogatory comments, tweeting: "For all you getting onto me about that tweet two years ago it was banter between some friends and me when I went to watch a game.

"And I was supporting my dad's team (Brighton). Obviously I regret it looking at it now but there's nothing I can do about it. I apologise.

"I was 16 at the time and very naïve, I will learn from my mistakes. I'm very happy to be at the club and have loved my time here so far."

Poyet's comments followed another Twitter furore involving the club's co-owner David Gold. Gold favourited a derogatory tweet from a West Ham fan calling for the dismissal of Sam Allardyce, forcing him to later clarify he had no intention of sacking his manager.

Gold tweeted: "After a 33-hour flight from New Zealand, I was in my car scanning through my tweets and it seems I accidentally favourite one.

"It has made some of the papers today so I should clarify that I did not and would never deliberately or intentionally endorse a tweet that questions our manager's position. Lesson: don't use Twitter when you're jetlagged."

Twitter blunders aside, West Ham have enjoyed a productive week, sealing their move for Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia.

The 25-year-old was granted a work permit to complete his move to the Hammers and provides the club with a timely boost following the news record signing Andy Carroll faces four months out following ankle surgery.

Valencia becomes the fifth arrival at Upton Park this summer alongside Poyet, Mauro Zarate, Aaron Cresswell and Cheikhou Kouyate.