Leyton Orient’s new owner and chairman Francesco Becchetti insists new players are on their way imminently after meeting with boss Russell Slade last night.

Becchetti, in his opening press conference as the O’s chief revealed some deals are already in place and would be completed very soon, with former Charlton Athletic midfielder Bradley Pritchard set to be the first of many new arrivals.

The Italian businessman also gave his full backing to Slade having sat down with the Brisbane Road manager last night.

“I believe from last night we have already began to work on a team of the future,” said Becchetti.

“We renew and reiterate that the confirmation of how much we appreciate Russell Slade and we have worked all night on new transfers and in the next few hours we will have a few announcements to make.

“Russell is not going to play with money. He’s going to play with players. Money is for serious things like acquiring players.

“He was told the following. Give me a list of players and in which position you need reinforcements. For every role where you need reinforcements give me a list of five players. This is what he did last night.

“We asked for a priority on each list and one minute later he was authorised to start negotiating with the first player on each list. Therefore he is authorised to bring home these priorities in order to acquire the players which are needed for the new season.

“This happened last night and I think he is still hard at work now. As I am a little meticulous I also added the list will have to be signed by him and he didn’t hesitate. At the end of the season we will go over that list again and assess whether those were the best priorities or not.”

As well new squad members, former left back and Italian international Mauro Milanese looks set to be arriving as the club’s new sporting director.

Milanese, enjoyed a playing career which saw him take in Inter Milan, Perugia and Napoli to name just a few.

For the last three years he has been the director of football at Serie B side Varese and was in attendance at Becchetti’s press conference ahead of an official announcement.

“This is very probable. It’s a 99 per cent certainty. He was a great champion who played for Inter Milan and Napoli and in England.

“He has his trainer and sports director licence as he was one in Italy [at Varese]. He has a great desire to work in London and England.

“Many people involved in football in Italy wish to work in England but they are half way along their professional career and don’t want to leave what they have already achieved.

“But I see Mauro very excited about this challenge and we spent part of the night together as well. He will probably be the sporting director who will support us daily and Russell Slade.

“I believe the experience he can bring to us is enormous. He played with Ronaldo, Andrea Pirlo and Alvaro Recoba.”