West Ham have completed the signing of Alessandro Diamanti from Italian side AS Livorno Calcio.
The 26-year-old joins on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £6 million with the payments spread across three years.
Diamanti is said to be a rare talent, recently attracting the attention of the larger Italian sides including Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan and with 18 goals in 37 League and Cup appearances last season he proved his has undoubted potential.
However, the lure of playing for one of his heroes in Gianfranco Zola proved to be one he could not ignore.
“I am very happy to be at West Ham United and to get the chance to play for Gianfranco Zola," he told the official site. “This is a big club and I want to give everything for the supporters.”
“I chose West Ham because the club has the tradition of playing great football,” he said.
Also because the West Ham fans are really passionate and that is the way I am.”