Just who is West Ham's new striker Simone Zaza?

Many Hammers fans will only really know the player as the man who scored the winning goal in the thrilling 3-2 London Stadium opening game earlier in August, but sadly he will also be remembered as a poor penalty taker at Euro 2016.

It's been well documented that the Hammers have been chasing several names this summer. They, like everyone else, want a 20 goal a season striker. Co-chairman David Sullivan made it his priority to attract a proven goalscorer to the club this summer, but offers for Michy Batshuayi and Alexandre Lacazette were roundly rebuffed.

A £26m move for AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca then dragged on for weeks and weeks, with the Colombia international eventually opting to stay in Italy. Now that the injury prone Andy Carroll has relapsed yet again, and is ruled out for up to six weeks, while new record signing Andre Ayew is unlikely to play again this year after suffering a thigh injury. All of this had made Slaven Bilic’s desire to sign a new forward more urgent.

The embarrassing defeat by Romanian side Astra Giurgiu in the Europa League qualifiers for the second successive season further highlighted West Ham’s lack of options up front, with only the inexperienced Jonathan Calleri and Ashley Fletcher to choose from.

With his attacking midfielders and wingers are already in place and attacking options from the full-back positions are solid, this should be the final piece in the claret and blue jigsaw.

Zaza began his professional club career with Atalanta in 2008, where he remained for two seasons. In 2010, he moved to Sampdoria where he was sent on loan spells to Juve Stabia, Viareggio and Ascoli. In 2013, the Italian joined Sassuolo, where his performances earned him a big money move to defending Serie A champions Juventus in 2015.

In his first season with the club, he immediately won a domestic double. At international level, Zaza made his senior debut for Italy in 2014, and went on to represent his nation at the 2016 European Championships.

The 25-year-old is a quick, strong and well-rounded left-footed forward, with solid technique and an eye for goal. A versatile and hard-working player, he is capable of playing both as a centre-forward and as a second striker. Due to his physical attributes and his positional sense, he also excels in the air; his powerful and offensive playing style has drawn comparisons to several strikers, such as Christian Vieri, David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

As Hammers fans welcome the Italy international, their hopes are raised once more, but there is just one thing to bear in mind...

Don't let him take penalties!

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