Alessandro Diamanti's arrival at West Ham United on 28 August 2009 from AS Livorno Calcio ended a long pursuit for the exciting forward.
Hammers scouts had been running the rule over Diamanti for several months before his switch to east London but it was left as late as four days before the end of the summer transfer window before the deal was finally done.
He became Gianfranco Zola's second major recruit from the Italian top flight after Chilean international Luis Jimenez arrived from Internazionale. Diamanti scored 18 times in 37 league and cup matches in the 2008/09 season, including six goals in the final ten matches of what proved a hugely successful campaign.
After successfully passing a medical, he agreed a five-year contract at the Boleyn Ground and said he could not wait to get started in his new claret and blue No32 shirt. "I am very happy to be at West Ham United and to get the chance to play for Gianfranco Zola," he told whufc.com. "This is a big club and I want to give everything for the supporters."
The club had been tracking the 5ft11ins Diamanti for several months because of his high-profile exploits with Livorno, particularly through his long-range shooting and set-piece prowess. He had originally moved to the Stadio Armando Picchi after an excellent 2006/07 season with his hometown club AC Prato that saw him score ten goals in 25 league outings.
Diamanti had no hesitation in deciding to move to east London for the next stage of his career despite overtures from some of Serie A's leading clubs. "I chose West Ham because the club has the tradition of playing great football," he said. "Also because the West Ham fans are really passionate and that is the way I am."