West Ham United have confirmed that Mauro Zarate has left the club to join Fiorentina.

Zarate's agent and brother revealed earlier today that talks were ongoing between the two parties, who were expected to agree on a loan deal with an option to make the move permanent at the end of the season.

However, the 28-year-old has completed his permanent switch to the Serie A outfit this month instead, returning to Italy following past spells with Lazio and Inter Milan.

"I would like to thank David Sullivan and David Gold for believing in me and for giving me the opportunity of playing at such a special club like West Ham," Zarate wrote in a post on Twitter.

"I would also like to thank my teammates for the good times we shared and wish them the very best for the future, and especially I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all the West Ham supporters for their unconditional support and affection, you truly are unique."

Zarate scored three goals in 15 appearances for West Ham this season, but did not feature in any of the club's matches in January.