Mauro Zarate has become the 15th South American to join the Hammers in the last 16 years.
But the big question is whether the £40,00 a week Argentine can succeeed where by and large the other 14 have failed.
Here’s our roll of Latin misfortune:
Javier Margas: Signed after the 1998 World Cup, made 24 appearances scoring once before going AWOL claiming homesickness.
Maurico Taricco: Cancelled his contract with the club after tearing a hamstring..
Lionel Scaloni was a defender who managed 13 appearances in 2006 and was blamed by some for the 2006 FA Cup Final defeat against Liverpool.
Carlos Tevez/ Javier Mascherano. Mascherano rarely featured in the team and left in 2007. Tevez went on to score some important goals for us but landed us a £5.5m fine and £25m in out of court settlement with Sheffield United.
Nobby Solano left when his contract expired at the end of his contract having scored four goals in 23 appearances.
Walter Lopez was the seventh to pull on a Hammers shirt, failed to cement a place in the first team due to the presence of Ilunga and was subsequently released by West Ham at the end of the season.
Luis Jimenez signed on a one year loan with an option to purchase, made 11 appearances for one goal.
Guillermo Franco. was released after 23 appearances and five goals.
Ilan made 11 appearances as a six month loanee, scored four goals before being released after criticising Zola.
Cristano Montano never played a game in the first team but joined West Ham Academy as an under 11. He was released in 2012 but has since been accused of match fixing and charge with rape of a women at Romford while a West Ham player.
Brian Montenegro joined on a one season loan in 2011. He made one appearance an the FA cup third round never to be used again and returned to Paraguay.
Wellington Paulista never pulled on a West Ham first team shirt, leaving after his six month loan expired.
Pablo Armero signed on a six month loan from Napoli but despite talk of a permanent deal returned to his parent club at the end of last season after five appearances.
Pablo wanchope.
Javier Margas .
Wanchope had his moments- margas gad claret and blue hair
Wanchope was Costa Rica which is Central America
As the OP had included Franco, who also represented Mexico, I assumed he was including the Central Americans too. I like the look of Zarate, and just hope he’ll be given a decent crack of the whip by The Fat One.
🙂
Franco played for Mexico but was born in Argentina
Barrera – Mexican, not South American.
Let’s hope Zarate can cut the mustard.
Bit unfair on Scaloni. I certainly never blamed him for the Cup Final defeat. You seem to have forgotten our best ever South American, Pablo Barrera!
Mexico classed as North American