West Ham have completed the signing of former Spain international striker Diego Tristan.
Spanish striker signs deal at Upton Park
West Ham have completed the signing for former Spain international striker Diego Tristan.
Tristan, capped 15 times by his country, has joined the Upton Park club as a free agent having been on trial in East London in recent weeks following his release by Serie A outfit Livorno at the end of last season.
The former Deportivo La Coruna and Mallorca forward becomes Gianfranco Zola's first signing since taking over as manager of the Hammers.
Tristan could now make his debut for West Ham in Sunday's Premier League trip against Hull City at the KC Stadium.
He told the club's
official website: "I am really happy to be at West Ham. They are a big club and London is a great city. I want to show the fans that I can score goals and help the team go up the league. I am excited to be here."
Impressed
Tristan paid tribute to the role Zola played in persuading him that his future lay in the Premier League, and has vowed to repay his new boss on the field.
He said: "The manager has spent lots of time working with me. He has helped me a lot and I want to say thanks to him by scoring lots of goals and doing well for the club. I am very grateful to the manager for giving me the opportunity to play here.
"I have been really impressed from the moment I arrived at the training ground. The coaching staff and the players have all helped me to settle in.
"I had a lot of offers to go to other countries and play for a lot of money but I feel that I still have lots to offer and I want to show West Ham fans that I can still play at the highest level. That is why I am here."
The former Spain international scored 78 goals in 177 league games for Deportivo after a similarly prolific return of 18 from 35 games with Mallorca.
Dream
Tristan found life tough in Italy, and was released by Livorno having scored just once in 20 appearances, but feels the Premier League will suit his style of play.
He added: "English football is very similar to Spanish in that it is very quick and technical. There is more of an emphasis on attacking football so I will have more chances to score goals.
"In Italy, it was more defensive and not easy for forwards to get scoring opportunities. West Ham play the right way and that should help me to do well.
"I have always been impressed by English football whenever I have played here. The stadiums and the fans are great and it was always a dream of mine to come here and play.
"Now my dream is going to become reality. I am at a great club and I want to see if I can help West Ham get into Europe and play at that level."
