Sam Allardyce believes new West Ham United striker Sam Baldock will give his side “another dimension” and believes they will have “a prolific goalscorer” on their hands if his development continues.

The Hammers fought off competition from several clubs to sign the 22-year-old MK Dons forward after the manager watched his latest acquisition score four goals in two games this week.

“We are very excited and very pleased to acquire such a young and talented goalscorer,” Allardyce told West Ham’s official site. “They are few and far between today and hopefully he can settle in quickly and produce the sort of form and goals that he has done for MK Dons.

“I saw him score a hat-trick [against Chesterfield on Saturday] and then an outstanding goal on Tuesday against Norwich. We haven’t got this type of player at the club at the moment. It is a great addition to the team and gives us another dimension and an opportunity to play a different way.

“I am sure he will go a long way and hopefully it will be an exciting time to help get West Ham where we want them to go. If he can continue his development, we have got what we have been looking for – a prolific goalscorer.”