Sam Allardyce has hailed the arrival of Sam Baldock at West Ham United.
The manager was pleased to finally get his man on Friday night, having kept tabs on Baldock's sensational form for MK Dons. Allardyce knows Dons manager Karl Robinson well from their time together at Blackburn Rovers and was well aware of the 22-year-old forward's prowess.
Baldock then scored a hat-trick in front of Allardyce against Chesterfield last Saturday, before again impressing the watching manager with another goal away to Norwich City on Tuesday. That prompted the Hammers to swing into action, with the club winning out against several clubs for the England U20 forward's signature.
"We are very excited and very pleased to acquire such a young and talented goal-scorer," Allardyce said. "They are few and far between today and hopefully he can settle in quickly and produce the sort of form and goals that he has done for MK Dons.
"I saw him score a hat-trick and then an outstanding goal on Tuesday against Norwich. We haven't got this type of player at the club at the moment. It is a great addition to the team and gives us another dimension and an opportunity to play a different way.
"I am sure he will go a long way and hopefully it will be an exciting time to help get West Ham where we want them to go. If he can continue his development, we have got what we have been looking for. A prolific goalscorer.
"While we have got some very good players on the front line, he is a sharp, he is very quick and his main strength lies in the quality of runs he makes in the box and the quality of his finishing. He seems to sniff a goal out at any angle and from anywhere."
Allardyce admitted the new recruit could provide stiff competition for the likes of Carlton Cole, John Carew and Frederic Piquionne. "I see him as a starter because we have invested a considerable amount of money.
"It gives us lots of options and hopefully lots and lots of goals. Now we have to provide those chances for the strikers we have. What we would be looking at now is to strengthen in other areas. If we can find the right player to improve the first team then we will try and do a little bit more business before the window shuts."
The manager paid tribute to Baldock's attitude and professionalism, and said the club had acquired a model professional on and off the pitch who should adapt quickly. "He is young so he may need some settling in time but I hope not.
"He doesn't live too far away and of course as in terms of a young man, he has got a very nice manner and a very good stature. Not only have we got a good footballer but a good human being. His mum and dad should take great credit in the way they have brought their son up."