Upton Park to welcome young striker.
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West Ham agreed a deal last night to sign young Colombian striker Duvan Zapata, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Hammers have met the release clause of the highly-rated forward, currently applying his trade in Argentina with Estudiantes, believed to be in the region of £6.7million. Zapata, 22, has been linked with a move to Europe this summer, with Borussia Dortmund, Besiktas and Lyon all interested in the young forward.
The physical striker scored 14 goals in 23 games last season, also starred in the 2011 Toulon tournament, where the Colombian U20 squad won. Yet to make a full international appearance for Colombia, Zapata is highly tipped to make the team for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Irons are looking for a striker to partner now permanently signed Andy Carroll this upcoming season as they look to build upon their 10th place finish last season. Zapata is set to sign a four-year contract, with a two-year option if they can secure a work permit for the striker. The Hammers appear to have made a major coup in the form of Zapata, who has rejected the advances of Porto and Udinese in favour of a move to the Premier League.
As one of the great rising talents from Colombia, Zapata has big shoes to fill on the European stage, as he hopes to replicate the success, as the likes of James Rodriguez and Radamel Falcao have experienced.