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| PAOLO DICANIO: PLAYER PROFILE |
| Italian maestro who has become one of Upton
Park's greatest heroes in recent years thanks to his amazing displays of
skill and entertainment.
The fiery Roman seemed to have no future in English football after his infamous push on referee Paul Alcock while playing for Sheffield Wednesday against Arsenal in November 1998, but Harry Redknapp took what most described as a huge gamble by paying £1.7m for the charismatic striker once his 11-match ban had ended in January 1999. The view from most of the tabloid press was that the former Hammers boss had gone mad and signed a problem, but the 33-year-old has since proved that the decision was a masterstroke. His most magical moment in a Hammers shirt undoubtedly came on March 26, 2000 when, in front of the live TV cameras, he hit a stunning volley against Wimbledon that ended the Goal of the Season contest there and then, but hardly a match goes by without Paolo doing something that has Hammers fans drooling in admiration. Linked with moves to Manchester United and Fulham since the departure of Redknapp, Di Canio has insisted that he wants to finish his career at Upton Park - a pledge that will be music to the ears of Hammers fans. |
