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Modibo Maiga is Big Sam’s fifth signing of the summer.

West Ham have confirmed the signing of Mali international forward Modibo Maiga from Ligue 1 side Sochaux.

Maiga, who was close to signing for Newcastle in January before failing a medical, has signed a 4-year-deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 6ft 1in Malian can play either as a striker or as a winger and had caught the eye of several clubs across Europe after scoring 24 league goals in 59 league appearances for Sochaux.

Maiga told whufc.com: “I am really happy and excited about joining West Ham United.

“I know West Ham are a big club in England and I’m really looking forward to representing them. They have huge tradition and it is like joining part of a family and that is one of the main reasons why I wanted to come.

“I know some of the big names that have played for the club in the past and I am proud to be a part of a new team back in the Premier League.”

The 24-year-old, who has 24 caps for Mali, began his career at Stade Malien before joining Moroccan outfit Raja Casablanca where he won the Arab Champions League.

Despite scoring only two goals in 22 league appearances in Morocco, Maiga signed for Ligue 1 side Le Mans where he spent four years, scoring 15 goals in 88 appearances in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2.

Sochaux signed Maiga in  2010, which is where the young forward began to attract interest from sides across Europe. Upon hearing of interest from Newcastle, the striker refused to play for Sochaux again in order to force through a move to England.

After failing a medical with the Magpies in January, Maiga was forced to continue playing until the end of the season.

Modibo Maiga is Sam Allardyce’s fifth signing of the summer as he tries to get his squad ready for the club’s first season back in the Premier League.

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