Former Spain international Tristan signs for Hammers

Former Spain international striker Diego Tristan signed for West Ham on Tuesday evening, the English top flight club said.

The 32-year-old former Deportivo La Coruna and Real Mallorca player, who has won 15 caps for his country, had been out-of-contract after leaving Italian side Livorno where he scored just one goal in 20 appearances.

Tristan put pen to paper with Scott Duxbury after the Hammers' chief executive had flown to Rome to finalise negotiations with his representatives.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola moved for the player following a two-week trial, with England international striker Dean Ashton sidelined following ankle surgery.

Tristan told his new club's official website, www.whufc.com: “I am really happy to be at West Ham. They are a big club and London is a great city.

“I want to show the fans that I can score goals and help the team to go up the league. I am excited to be here.”

On Zola, the player continued: “The manager has spent lots of time working with me. He has helped me a lot and I want to say thanks to him by scoring lots of goals and doing well for the club. I am very grateful to the manager for giving me the opportunity to play here.”

The 6ft 1in (1.84m) forward is in contention to make his debut in Sunday's Premier League match at Hull.