West Ham United: Five facts on Mobido Maiga

Mali striker Mobido Maiga became West Ham United's fifth new addition of the summer, but not too many people in the East End know an awful lot about him.

Well here are five handy facts on your new frontman.

 1. Maiga was born in Bamako, Mali, on September 3, 1987, and he is a Champions League winner. Well, an Arab Champions League winner. He won the coveted trophy with Moroccan giants Raja CA Casablanca and also helped them win the league.

2. In 2007 he secured a move to French side Le Mans and played alongside Arsenal's Gervinho and Sunderland's Sessegnon. Maiga scored 15 times in 88 games over three years with the club, but couldn't prevent them from being relegated.

 3. Sochaux was his next port of call and he formed a flourishing partnership with Ideye Brown, guiding them to Europa League qualification. Newcastle United tried to sign him last summer and the striker went on strike to force the move through. However, he failed a medical at St James' Park in January because of a problem with one of his knees. However, he will have a point to prove when the Toon are in town.

4. Maiga becomes the second Malian to represent West Ham, after fellow forward Frederic Kanoute. Now 34 and still playing in China, Kanoute scored 33 goals in 92 matches for the Hammers between March 2000 and May 2003. If Maiga can score one in every three games then that will be a great return.

5. Earlier this year Maiga had a serious health scare when he contracted malaria while playing for his country in the African Cup of Nations in Gabon. He was hospitalised and had to miss Mali's semi-final defeat to the Ivory Coast.

For those of you who haven't seen Maiga in action yet, here's some footage especially for you.

 

Calling all West Ham fans: Are you excited about the prospect of seeing Maiga playing up front with Carlton Cole? Do you think his arrival will see the end for Vaz Te? What are the expectations from the West Ham fans this season? Whatever your views, we'd love to hear from you.

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