West Ham transfer news: Simone Zaza confirmed as Hammers player on £5m season-long loan
Italy striker reinforces boss Slaven Bilics ranks and becomes London Stadium side's 11th signing of this window
WEST HAM have confirmed the signing of Simone Zaza on a season-long loan.
London Stadium chiefs will have to fork out an extra £20m to make the move permanent - and if Zaza makes a pre-agreed number of appearances in Claret and Blue.
Zaza said: "I want to thank everyone for welcoming me including the fans and everyone at the Club. I wanted to start a new experience and I feel this is the right choice for me.
"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 and this was a big reason why I wanted to join the Club.
"I want to become a better player and I know I can do that at West Ham. Unfortunately we could not qualify for the Europa League, but I am hoping I can help the Club do that next season."
Hammers co-chairman David Gold said: "I am delighted that we have been able to announce the signing of Simone Zaza from Juventus and this is a major coup for the football club.
"It has been a tough summer, particularly for David Sullivan and Slaven Bilic who have been working so hard behind the scenes to pull this off and at last it has happened.
"These big deals often go to the wire, but our supporters should be excited about this signing. Simone is a top quality striker and has great credentials.
"We hope he can have an immediate impact and, if he is as successful as we all hope he will be, Simone will join us on a permanent basis next summer."