MAURO ZARATE
Born: 18 March 1987, Haedo, Argentina
Former clubs: Velez Sarsfield, Al-Sadd, Birmingham City (loan), SS Lazio (loan), SS Lazio, Internazionale (loan), Velez Sarsfield
A diminutive and skilful attacker, Mauro Zarate returned to English football for a second time when he signed for West Ham United in July 2014, having previously played on loan at Birmingham City in early 2008.
The Argentine forward began his career with Vélez Sársfield in his homeland before spells in Qatar and England and a longer five-year stint in Italian football with SS Lazio - with whom he won two trophies - and Internazionale.
A FIFA U-20 World Cup winner with his country in 2007, Zarate won the 2013 Argentine Supercopa with Velez before finishing as the leading scorer in the Primera Division Final tournament in 2014.
2014/15
Joined West Ham United on a three-year contract with a further one-year option on 1 July 2014, having agreed to the move on 28 May...Scored on debut at Crystal Palace, opening the scoring as the Hammers triumphed 3-1 on 23 August 2014.
International Career
Scored two goals as Argentina won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada in 2007, including the winner in the final against Czech Republic.
Before West Ham
Joined Velez Sarsfield as a schoolboy, making his debut against Arsenal de Sarandi in April 2004, just a month past his 17th birthday...Strong, skilful and blessed with a low centre of gravity...Quickly established himself in the El Fortín forward line, scoring 47 goals in 135 appearances in all competitions...Won the Argentine Primera Division Clausura title in 2005 and was top goalscorer in the Apertura championship in 2006...Joined Qatari side Al-Sadd in summer 2007 before moving to Birmingham City in January of the following year...At St Andrews, he netted four goals in 14 Premier League games...Moved to Lazio in summer 2008, where he quickly enamoured himself by scoring twice on his full debut at Cagliari and again on his home debut against Sampdoria...In three seasons at the Stadio Olimpico, he netted 33 times in 119 appearances in all competitions...Moved to Internazionale in 2011, spending 18 months in Milan before moving back to first club Velez Sarsfield in July 2013...Won the 2013 Argentine Supercopa, starting the 1-0 final win over Arsenal...Finished as leading scorer in the 2014 Argentine Primera Division Final tournament with 13 goals in 19 appearances.