West Ham transfer news: Mauro Zarate returns to the Premier League after agreeing three-year deal

The midfielder had impressed in the division for Birmingham in 2008

Nick Mulvenney
Thursday 29 May 2014 12:23 BST
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Sam Allardyce in typically furious form on the sideline
Sam Allardyce in typically furious form on the sideline (Getty Images)

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Former Lazio and Inter Milan forward Mauro Zarate will return to the English Premier League next season after agreeing a three-year contract with West Ham United, the London club said on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Argentine, who scored four goals in 14 matches on loan to Birmingham City in the Premier League in 2008, returns to England after a prolific season with Velez Sarsfield in which he scored 20 goals in all competitions.

"If you ask me what I can bring to the squad then I say I hope I will bring goals," Zarate told the club's website.

"I will also bring dribbling skills and other attacking qualities."

West Ham could certainly do with a bit more firepower up front after scoring just 40 goals in 38 Premier League matches last season as they finished 13th.

Zarate turned down a chance to play for his father's country, Chile, at the World Cup earlier this year and was also approached by Italy, his mother's country, in 2009.

A former under-20 international, his chances of making the Argentine squad for the World Cup were always slim with Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Rodrigo Palacio all ahead of him in the pecking order.

REUTERS

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