A 23-year-old Costa Rican by the name of Paulo Wanchope signed for West Ham United on this day 16 years ago.
The languid 6'4 forward sealed a £3.5 million switch from Derby County, making an almost instant impact with his new employers. He netted twice in the Hammers' victorious Intertoto Cup campaign, including a crucial third goal in the decisive 3-1 win at Metz.
Unpredictable at times, Wanchope enjoyed a fine first season alongside Paolo Di Canio at the Boleyn Ground, bagging 15 goals in all competitions. He started all but five of the Club's Premier League outings that term, as Harry Redknapp's men ended the campaign in ninth - a third successive top-ten finish.
In spite of that highly respectable return, Wanchope was subsequently sold to newly-promoted Manchester City, with Frederic Kanoute and Davor Suker the replacement firepower.
The prolific Costa Rica international spent four seasons with the Citizens, scoring some 27 league goals along the way. Meanwhile, Wanchope remains the second highest scorer in his country's history, with 45 goals and 73 caps.
The languid 6'4 forward sealed a £3.5 million switch from Derby County, making an almost instant impact with his new employers. He netted twice in the Hammers' victorious Intertoto Cup campaign, including a crucial third goal in the decisive 3-1 win at Metz.
Unpredictable at times, Wanchope enjoyed a fine first season alongside Paolo Di Canio at the Boleyn Ground, bagging 15 goals in all competitions. He started all but five of the Club's Premier League outings that term, as Harry Redknapp's men ended the campaign in ninth - a third successive top-ten finish.
In spite of that highly respectable return, Wanchope was subsequently sold to newly-promoted Manchester City, with Frederic Kanoute and Davor Suker the replacement firepower.
The prolific Costa Rica international spent four seasons with the Citizens, scoring some 27 league goals along the way. Meanwhile, Wanchope remains the second highest scorer in his country's history, with 45 goals and 73 caps.