Zarate signs for Fiorentina

Serie A side Fiorentina have completed the signing of Argentine striker Mauro Zarate from West Ham United for a reported fee of £1.6million.

The 28-year-old took to Twitter on Thursday night to thank West Ham fans and the club's owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, for giving him the opportunity to play for the Hammers.

"I would like to thank David Sullivan and David Gold for believing in me and for giving me the opportunity of playing at such a special club like West Ham," his post read.

"I would also like to thank my teammates for the good times we shared and wish them the very best for the future, and especially I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all the West Ham supporters for their unconditional support and affection, you are truly unique."

Zarate joined West Ham 18 months ago from Argentinian club Velez Sarsfield, but has struggled for consistent game time, making just 29 appearances in his time at the club. He also had an unsuccessful loan spell at Queens Park Rangers last season where he only played four times, all from the substitute bench.

The move comes despite a relatively good start to the 2015/16 campaign for the player. In all competitions, only Dimitri Payet (6) has scored more goals for West Ham this season than Zarate (4).