Source: Daily_Mail
Mama Mia! Hammers new boy Diamanti scores stunning brace at Upton Park
Paolo Di Canio eat your heart out. West Ham fans appear to have finally found a worthy successor to the former terrace hero in Italian new boy Alessandro Diamanti.
The East End faithful were left licking their lips at the prospect of the £5.7million recruit making his first team debut against Wigan on Saturday after the striker's stunning brace during the reserves 6-0 rout over Birmingham at Upton Park on Tuesday night.
The former Livorno ace, 26, gave boss Gianfranco Zola every reason to be pleased with his recent acquisition, celebrating two glorious trademark free-kicks much to the delight of the 1,250 in attendance, eagerly anticipating his next outing.
Speaking after the game, via his translator Valon Behrami - who made his competitive return after six months out - Diamanti said:
'It was a excellent feeling and i cannot wait to show my quality again.'
Zola would have been equally encouraged by the sight of the Swiss international back in action, as Behrami returned for the first time since damaging his knee ligaments against Manchester City in March.
The former Lazio utility man, 24, put in an excellent performance before declaring his desire to make an immediate first team comeback.
'It was fantastic for me,' he told the club's official website.
'I've had a very hard six months, working everyday on my rehabilitation so it was a great feeling to be playing in this game.
'I don't know when I''ll return to the first team. But I'm ready when Mister (Zola) needs me.'
The Barclays Premier League club, meanwhile, confirmed the signing of promising Italian defender Davide Ferrari, joining on a season-long loan deal from Brescia with a view to a permanent transfer.
The attacking full-back, 17, looked impressive alongside fellow new boy Manuel Da Costa during the reserves emphatic win and the club stated their appreciation to both The FA and the Premier League for their part in completing the transfer after a long wait for international clearance having struck the deal on September 1 deadline day.
