(AP) — Mobile games publisher Glu Mobile Inc. said Monday it had hired Niccolo de Masi as its president and chief executive officer.

De Masi was formerly president and chief executive of technology company Hands-On Mobile and before that was the CEO of Monstermob Group PLC.

He was also granted the option to purchase 1.25 million of the company's shares at an exercise price of $1.21, Monday's closing price.

De Masi replaced board chairman Bill Miller, the interim CEO since December. Miller had stepped in briefly to replace CEO Greg Ballard, who announced he was leaving to seek a new challenge in July.

Glu shares rose 6 cents, or 5.2 percent, in regular trading on Monday.

Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker, Anthony Santino

Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.

Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week. Credit: Randee Daddona, Gary Licker, Anthony Santino

Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.

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