MORGAN AMALFITANO

 MORGAN AMALFITANO


Born: 20 March 1985, Nice, France
Former clubs: Sedan, Lorient, Marseille, West Bromwich Albion (loan)

West Ham United completed the signing of France international Morgan Amalfitano on transfer deadline day in summer 2014.

The 29-year-old, who can play in a variety of midfield roles, linked up with the Hammers from French Ligue 1 club Olympique de Marseille on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.

Amalfitano spent last season on loan at Barclays Premier League side West Bromwich Albion, for whom he scored four goals in 31 appearances.

2014/15

Made his Hammers debut on 15 September 2014 in the 2-2 draw at Hull City...Scored his first goal for the Club five days later, notching the third in a 3-1 win over Liverpool.

Before West Ham

Amalfitano came through the same AS Cannes academy that produced France internationals Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira and Gael Clichy...At 18, he moved to Sedan, where he began his professional career in 2003... In five seasons, he totalled 137 appearances before moving to Lorient in the summer of 2008...Amalfitano discovered his goalscoring touch in Brittany, netting 15 goals in 121 games in all competitions and attracting the attention of some of France's biggest clubs...The summer of 2011 saw Marseille snap him up on a free transfer...Amalfitano's debut for the club saw him win the Champions' Trophy as Marseille defeated Ligue 1 champions Lille 5-4 in Morocco...The 2011/12 season also ended with a trophy as he played the full 120 minutes in a 1-0 extra-time victory over Lyon in the French League Cup final...The same campaign saw Amalfitano win his first cap for France in a 2-1 friendly victory over Germany...The 2013/14 campaign saw the midfielder move to The Hawthorns on a season-long loan...Amalfitano capped an impressive first season in English football with an outstanding individual goal in West Brom's 2-1 victory at Manchester United a year ago