ALESSANDRO DIAMANTI
Born: 2 May 1983, Prato, Italy
Former clubs: AC Prato, Empoli FC, Fucecchio, ACF Fiorentina, UC AlbinoLeffe, AC Prato, AC Prato (loan), AS Livorno Calcio
The talented Alessandro Diamanti arrived at West Ham United as a virtual unknown to English football supporters in August 2009.
However, it would not be long before the Italian's outrageous hairstyles and unique playing style endeared him to the Boleyn Ground faithful.
With an eye for the spectacular, the Tuscan-born player is always at the centre of the action whenever he is on the field of play.
2009/10
Joined West Ham United from AS Livorno Calcio on a five-year contract on 28 August 2009…Scored two direct free-kicks on his West Ham United debut in the 6-0 Barclays Premier Reserve League South victory over Birmingham City at the Boleyn Ground on 8 September 2009…Made Premier League debut as a substitute in 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic on 12 September 2009, hitting the crossbar with a late shot…Made his full Premier League debut in the 3-2 home defeat by Liverpool on 19 September 2009, scoring from the penalty spot…Netted penalties in the 1-1 home draw with Chelsea and 2-0 Boxing Day win over Portsmouth…Scored in the 2-1 FA Cup third-round defeat by Arsenal on 3 January 2010…Missed a penalty in the 2-0 Premier League defeat at Arsenal on 20 March 2010…Scored a direct free-kick in the 2-0 home Premier League victory over Birmingham City on 10 February 2010…Totalled 29 appearances in all competitions, 20 of them starts, scoring eight goals…Made one Barclays Premier Reserve League South appearance, scoring twice…Voted Hammer of the Year runner-up.
International career
None.
Before West Ham United
Began his career at hometown club AC Prato...Made his AC Prato debut in a goalless Serie C2 draw against Novara in May 2000 just days past his 17th birthday…Spent time on loan at Empoli FC, Fucecchio and ACF Fiorentina…Spent 18 months at AlbinoLeffe between 2004 and 2006…Joined AS Livorno Calcio in summer of 2007…Netted 24 goals in 67 games in all competitions for AS Livorno Calcio over a little more than two seasons…Played once in Serie A in a goalless home draw with Cagliari on 23 August 2009 before joining West Ham United.
Any other business
Was an Internazionale supporter as a child...Named Roberto Baggio as his all-time football hero…Is close friends with Italian defender Fabio Galante…Named Serbia defender Branislav Ivanovic as his hardest opponent.