Alessandro Diamanti

Squad Number: 32
Position: Striker
Born: 2nd May 1983, Prato
Signed: 28th Aug 2009 (£5700000)
Contract: 5 years
Previous Club: Livorno

KUMB Awards: Best Signing 2009/10.

Having been lLinked with a number of Serie A clubs in the summer Diamanti eventually opted to sign for the Hammers three days ahead of the summer 2009 transfer deadline.

A striker very much in the Paolo Di Canio mould, much will be expected of a player who scored 18 goals in Serie B during the 2008/09 campaign - a tally that helped his side gain promotion back to Serie A.

2010/11 Match Notes & Ratings

0-3 v Aston Villa (a) 14th August 2010
by Staff Writer

(Replaced Tomkins, 73 mins) Was this the Italian's final farewell?

2009/10 Match Notes & Ratings

1-1 v Manchester City (h) 9th May 2010
by Gordon Thrower

Suberb touch for the goal. A busy afternoon.

2-3 v Fulham (a) 3rd May 2010
by Gordon Thrower

(Replaced Faubert, 61 mins) Fell over a few times – that was it.

0-1 v Stoke City (h) 27th March 2010
by East Stand Martin

(Replaced Dyer, 46 mins) Has come under heavy criticism of late for a lack of work rate, offered little to pooh-pooh those particular rumblings of discontent.

1-3 v Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) 23rd March 2010
by Rob Chapman

Showed moments of genius, but unfortunately these we spaced amongst great swathes of complete anonymity. Showed purpose towards the end, by which time we were chasing a lost cause.

1-3 v Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) 23rd March 2010
by East Stand Martin

Doesn't appear to have the legs to play in the Premier League - or a right foot at all. He's one of the players that plays for himself, rather than the team, whom Zola referred to after the game.

1-2 v Bolton Wanderers (h) 6th March 2010
by Gordon Thrower

Bottled the challenge for the first goal but still looked like one of the few players capable of doing something. Superb goal. The sponsors gave him MOTM – I’d have gone for the Tesco bag myself.

0-3 v Manchester United (a) 23rd February 2010
by Staff Writer

Had a go but again the passing was well below par.

3-0 v Hull City (h) 21st February 2010
by Daniel Prescott

At the heart of nearly everything. Is starting to think as a team member rather than just shooting at every opportunity.

3-0 v Hull City (h) 21st February 2010
by East Stand Martin

The sort of player who gets you off your seat. Comparisons with another Italian are quite apt – even if he isn’t quite as bonkers. Got the sponsors’ MOTM award and I’ll admit he came very close to getting mine.

3-0 v Hull City (h) 21st February 2010
by Gordon Thrower

The sort of player who gets you off your seat. Comparisons with another Italian are quite apt – even if he isn’t quite as bonkers. Got the sponsors’ MOTM award and I’ll admit he came very close to getting mine.

2-0 v Birmingham City (h) 10th February 2010
by Gordon Thrower

A constant threat in the first half, he actually got through a fair bit of defensive work in the second period where he helped out Spector well.

0-0 v Blackburn Rovers (h) 30th January 2010
by Gordon Thrower

Probably our only creative outlet on the day. His free-kick was probably as close as we got to scoring.

1-1 v Chelsea (h) 20th December 2009
by Gordon Thrower

Some fine deliveries from set pieces and the penalty was well-taken.

0-4 v Manchester United (h) 5th December 2009
by Gordon Thrower

(Replaced Hines, 46 mins) Just about our only threat – and I use the word very loosely.

2-2 v Sunderland (a) 31st October 2009
by Gordon Thrower

(Replaced Behrami, 72 mins) A few good passes and one half-decent shot.

2-2 v Arsenal (h) 25th October 2009
by Gordon Thrower

(Replaced Noble, 56 mins) The catalyst for the comeback. Seemed to take being left out as a personal affront and kept a cool head amongst all the gamesmanship that was going on for the penalty.

2-2 v Fulham (h) 4th October 2009
by Gordon Thrower

Was at least trying to create something but too often shot when he should have passed and vice-versa.

1-3 v Manchester City (a) 28th September 2009
by Hammer John

Didn't have a great game. Did the odd good thing but needs to improve his decision-making.

1-3 v Bolton Wanderers (a) 22nd September 2009
by Hammer John

Blimey, where do you start? He can look classy one minute and an idiot the next - 'are you DDM in disguise?'

2-3 v Liverpool (h) 19th September 2009
by Gordon Thrower

Really needs to get a bit of fitness but when he does there were enough touches to suggest he could be useful.

2008/09 Match Notes & Ratings