Things to know about West Ham United’s latest signing Nikola Vlasic

The
Hammers
have
enjoyed
a
flying
start
to
the
new
Premier
League
season,
claiming
seven
points
in
the
first
three
games.
Some
of
their
attacking
play
involve
the
likes
of
Pablo
Fornals,
Said
Benrahma,
Jarrod
Bowen
and
Michail
Antonio
has
been
exciting
to
watch.
However,
with
them
set
to
compete
in
Europe
this
term,
they
certainly
needed
a
bigger
and
better
squad
than
last
season.
And
Vlasic’s
acquisition
clearly
indicates
that.

One
of
the
best
performers
in
the
Russian
league
over
the
last
couple
of
seasons,
here
are
a
couple
of
things
you
need
to
know
about
him:

Versatility

The
23-year-old
can
play
in
any
position
across
the
front.
His
most
preferred
position
is
playing
behind
the
striker.
However
he
has
performed
as
a
centre
forward,
winger
on
either
flank
and
even
as
a
midfielder
for
CSKA
Moscow
showing
a
great
understanding
of
each
role.

Second
tenure
at
Premier
League

The
West
Ham
tenure
will
be
his
second
opportunity
in
England
having
played
for
Everton
earlier.
He
signed
for
the
Merseysiders
in
the
2017
summer
after
catching
the
eye
while
playing
for
Hajduk
Split.
But
he
did
not
have
much
success
during
his
one
year
stay
in
England.
He
made
a
switch
to
CSKA
Moscow
firstly
on
loan
then
on
a
permanent
deal
in
2019,
which
completely
changed
his
fortune.

Outstanding
numbers
for
CSKA
Moscow

In
Russia,
he
has
demonstrated
all
the
potential
that
the
Toffees
had
seen
in
him.
He
bagged
12
goals
and
five
assists
in
the
2019/20
campaign,
and
11
goals
and
five
assists
last
season.
For
his
impressive
display,
last
year
he
was
named
Russian
Premier
League,
Russian
Football
Union
and
Footballer
of
the
Year.

Regular
in
National
team

Vlasic
has
been
a
regular
in
the
national
team
since
making
his
debut
in
2017.
He
was
part
of
the
Croatia
squad
also
that
competed
at
European
Championship
2020.
He
scored
one
goal
in
the
tournament
as
well.