Diamanti joins Hammers

West Ham have eased their striking problems with the signing of Livorno forward Alessandro Diamanti.

The 26-year-old, who joins the Upton Park club for an undisclosed fee, has signed a five-year contract with the Hammers.

He told his new club’s official website, www.whufc.co.uk: “I am very happy to be at West Ham United and to get the chance to play for Gianfranco Zola.”