Simone Zaza is officially a West Ham United player, on loan with obligation to buy for €25m plus bonuses. “This is the right choice for me.”
The Juventus striker makes the move on a one-season loan at a cost of €5m and the option to buy for another €20m will become mandatory after a handful of appearances for the club.
A statement from Juventus confirmed the €20m is payable over two years and that there are another €3m in performance-related bonuses.
Simone Zaza is officially a West Ham United player, on loan with obligation to buy for €25m plus bonuses. “This is the right choice for me.”
The Juventus striker makes the move on a one-season loan at a cost of €5m and the option to buy for another €20m will become mandatory after a handful of appearances for the club.
A statement from Juventus confirmed the €20m is payable over two years and that there are another €3m in performance-related bonuses.
Curiously, the move was first announced via Twitter by the son of the Hammers chairman.
“I want to thank everyone for welcoming me, including the fans and everyone at the Club. I am glad that the fans are happy to have me here.
“I wanted to start a new experience and I feel this is the right choice for me,” Zaza told whufc.com.
It’s a return to the London Stadium, as he scored for Juventus in the Betway Cup friendly earlier this month.
“I’m very happy and already looking forward to playing here. I have been fortunate enough to have already played at the new Stadium with a different shirt. It is a beautiful stadium and I felt the warmth of the fans, even if at the time I had a different shirt, and the history of the club and the warmth of the fans were big reasons why I wanted to join West Ham.
“I knew at the time that West Ham had been tracking me for some time, so I wanted to make a good impression in that game. I hope the fans can forgive me for the goal, but it was only a friendly! I hope to score many more with this shirt.”
The Italy international had previously played for Sassuolo and was seen as something of a supersub, so what can Hammers fans expect?
“My characteristics are that I have power and pace, I never give in and am very aggressive on the field. I am not a person who likes to make promises, but the only one I can make is that I’ll give 100 per cent of myself in every game I play.”
Paolo Di Canio is a legend at West Ham United, so can Zaza follow in his footsteps?
“I am keeping my feet on the ground, because I know how important he is for this club. I also know he is in love with West Ham and that’s another reason why I decided to come here.
“I can’t say we are similar players, because he was better! But I watched him talk about his experiences at West Ham and am truly curious to see what he meant.
“I want first and foremost to make my mark and to become a better player and I know I can do that at West Ham. Unfortunately West Ham could not qualify for the Europa League, but I am hoping I can help the Club do that next season and that I can become great at West Ham.”
Image via whufc