West Ham United hitman Alessandro Diamanti is hoping to have the same affect at the club as compatriot Paolo Di Canio did during his time at Upton Park.

Hammers legend Di Canio averaged nearly a goal every other game in the top-flight for the club netting 48 goals in just over 110 appearances.

Diamanti scored from the penalty spot to equalise against Arsenal a fortnight ago, and as he wheeled away euphorically with his arms pumping - it could so easily have been a flashback to when Di Canio ruled the East End turf.

Diamanti admits he plays in a similar manner to Di Canio - a brooding maverick, a showman if you will - and he hopes to be every bit as successful as the former Celtic and Lazio striker was during his playing career.

"Di Canio has been a great player, everybody would like to have the same career," he told the Daily Telegraph. "We share the same way to play football. We both give everything on the pitch for the team and the fans.

"I always play with passion. I am a passionate man. Not just about the goals but about the football. I try to put everything on to the field. At the moment, I am very sorry because I’d like to show more."

The 26-year-old has settled quickly into London life and he'll be hoping to produce the form he displayed in Serie B last season scoring 20 goals in 39 games as Livorno won promotion back to the top-flight via the play-offs.

Diamanti's goal against Arsenal was his second for the club and manager Gianfranco Zola has admitted there is more to come from his precocious compatriot, but whether he will have the same impact on the club as Di Canio remains to be seen.

If the £6million recruit can produce anything like the goals showcased in this video tribute to Di Canio, then it will not just be the Hammers' fans revelling in his genuis.

Watch out for Di Canio's stunning goals against Chelsea (0.10), Wimbledon (1.15) and playing for Lazio (3.00)!