West Ham sign penalty villain Simone Zaza on loan

Zaza, 25, could become a permanent acquisition for €20 million (£17m) if he plays enough games for the Hammers this season.

"I wanted to start a new experience and I feel this is the right choice for me," Zaza told the club’s official website.

"I have been fortunate enough to have already played at the new stadium with a different shirt [a pre-season friendly with Juve]. It is a beautiful stadium and I felt the warmth of the fans and this was a big reason why I wanted to join the club."

He will compete with Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll for a spot in attack as the Hammers seek to bounce back from their harrowing Europa League play-off exit to Astra Giurgiu – the second successive season the Romanian minnows had prematurely ended their continental challenge.

"I want to become a better player and I know I can do that at West Ham," he added. "Unfortunately we could not qualify for the Europa League, but I am hoping I can help the club do that next season."

A powerful, speedy forward, Zaza is unfortunately best known for his spotkick calamity at Euro 2016.

Tasked with specifically taking a penalty after joining Italy’s quarter-final with Germany in the dying embers of extra time, he bizarrely stuttered up to the ball and blazed it over the crossbar. His nation crashed out soon after; Zaza took his place in football notoriety.