Premier League - West Ham tie up Tristan deal

Eurosport - Tue, 14 Oct 23:05:00 2008

West Ham have completed the signing of experienced former Spain international forward Diego Tristan on a free transfer.

FOOTBALL 2006-2007 La Liga Diego Tristán Tristan - 0

The 32-year-old was available after leaving Italian side Livorno, where he scored just one goal in 20 appearances.

The striker, who won 15 caps for Spain between 2001 and 2004, also played for Deportivo La Coruna and Real Mallorca in his homeland.

Tristan put pen to paper with Scott Duxbury after the Hammers' chief executive had flown to Rome to finalise negotiations with his representatives.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola moved for the player following a two-week trial, with England international striker Dean Ashton sidelined following ankle surgery.

Tristan told his 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 to go up the league. I am excited to be here."

On Zola, the player continued: "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 6ft 1in forward, who is in contention to make his debut in Sunday's Premier League match at Hull, added: "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.

"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."

Duxbury added: "I am delighted that we have been able to secure the services of Diego, who is an experienced striker and has already had a positive impact.

"Diego will provide extra competition in attack and the manager has been impressed with his attitude and ability in training."

TeamTALK / Eurosport

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  1. Good signing if he can stay sober long enough. A Spanish mate of my says that Deportivo got rid of him because he used to turn up for training worse for wear and was always out on the lash. Isn't the tranfer window closed untinl January

    From Cannaid Draig, on Wed 15 Oct 3:06PM

  2. hammers for the championship..!! the coca cola championship that is.!

    From , on Wed 15 Oct 12:36PM

  3. Quality player

    From wez, on Wed 15 Oct 10:09AM

  4. Who the @#$% would want to buy ashton??? He's $h!t

    From kevin m, on Wed 15 Oct 8:56AM

  5. Now they can offload Ashton for a nice profit good business?

    From Ronsenglish, on Wed 15 Oct 1:25AM

  6. He's @#$%, he'll fit in well at Wet Spam then.

    From Karl G, on Tue 14 Oct 11:31PM

  7. Im not a West Ham fan, But I really think this is a very good signing!

    From NothingMan, on Tue 14 Oct 11:15PM
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