West Ham United have completed the signing of striker Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo for a fee believed to be worth around £35.5m.
The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the London Stadium, with an option to extend his deal by a further year.
Scamacca, who will wear the number seven shirt, has become David Moyes's fourth signing of the summer window after the arrivals of Nayef Aguerd, Alphonse Areola and Flynn Downes.
Speaking to West Ham's official website on his arrival at the club, Scamacca said: "I am really excited to join West Ham. I've waited a long time for this moment – it's been a dream to play in the Premier League.
All the way from Rome, Italy...
— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 26, 2022
Welcome to West Ham United, Gianluca Scamacca! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/QkrSPUg6nH
"I feel like West Ham is the perfect team for me. They showed they really wanted me and when I spoke to the manager there was an instant understanding.
"I can't wait to play and show the supporters what I can do in the West Ham shirt – I hope we will love each other."
Moyes added: "We've been looking to add more strength to our attacking options for a while, so we're delighted to have got Gianluca in.
"He comes really well recommended – and we're looking forward to working with him. He's a young centre-forward with a really bright future ahead of him."
© Reuters
After spending time with the academies of Lazio and Roma, Scamacca joined PSV Eindhoven as a 16-year-old in 2015, but he was unable to make a single senior appearance for the Dutch club.
The 6ft 5in striker then joined Sassuolo in 2017 where he made his professional debut as an 18-year-old in October 2017, before heading out on loan to Cremonese, PEC Zwolle, Ascoli and Genoa between January 2018 and May 2021.
After netting 12 goals for Genoa in the 2020-21 campaign, Scamacca returned to Sassuolo where he elevated his game to new heights, scoring 16 Serie A goals in 36 appearances last season.
Scamacca, who has seven international caps for Italy, could make his competitive debut for West Ham in their opening Premier League game of the new season at home against reigning champions Manchester City on August 7.
Oliver Thomas
