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Diamanti hails Nani

Image: Diamanti: Happy in Italy

Alessandro Diamanti admits that his return to Brescia was out of recognition for Gianluca Nani.

Former Hammer happy with life in Brescia

Former West Ham striker Alessandro Diamanti admits that his return to Brescia was out of recognition for Gianluca Nani. The forward rejoined the Serie A newcomers for £1.8million after just one season at Upton Park. Diamanti scored seven goals in 28 appearances under manager Gianfranco Zola, but after technical director Nani was dismissed and Zola had departed, the striker opted to move back to Italy. "I came to Brescia out of recognition for Gianluca Nani, who was the director who brought me to West Ham," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I didn't even consider the other offers, although the clubs that were looking for me included Parma and Fiorentina." Brescia president Gino Corioni has likened Diamanti to former club hero and legendary Italian international Roberto Baggio.

Attitude

The 27-year-old former Livorno hero admits his attitude was not always professional though. "I feel very much like the Livorno folk, as they don't work much and go to the beach instead. "When I was at Albinoleffe, I'd often go out clubbing, but now I have changed and came back to Italy in order to earn my place in the Nazionale."

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