Lazaridis was a nimble Australian international who caught the eye with a cracker at the WACA on the first leg of Hammers' Centenary Tour in May 1995. The Perth born winger caused the West Ham defense so many problems in their friendly against Western Australia that he took one whack too many and had to limp out of the 2-2 draw. But Lazaridis had done enough to convince assistant manager Frank Lampard that he was worth another look; he was flown 10 thousand miles to England for a trial. With Harry Redknapp by now also suitably impressed, Lazaridis, playing under a Greek passport of convenience, signed from West Adelaide in a £300,000 deal, thus avoiding any of the work permit problems that were set to frustrate future team-mates.

Following a couple of substitute appearances, he made his first start for Hammers in the Coca Cola Cup tie at Bristol Rovers. Still raw, but an excellent crosser of the ball, Lazaridis spent most of the 95/96 season in the reserves preparing for the Premiership.

Lazaridis was a revelation at the start of 1996/97 term as a wingback but a groin problem meant he was always struggling to recapture that form. Lazaridis' early form though accounted for the sale of Michael Hughes to Wimbledon and he ended 1997 as the runner up in the Oceania Player of the Year awards.

Stan signed for Blues in a record deal on Tuesday July 27th 1999 and became Trevor Francis'
second signing of the summer.