Twenty years ago to this day Chelsea signed a player who would go on to become a club legend.
Though 30 years of age when he signed for the Blues from Parma, Gianfranco Zola went on to spend seven rewarding seasons at Stamford Bridge, enthralling fans of the west London club and the Premier League alike with his exceptional skill, vision and finishing ability.
His 5ft 6in frame proved no obstacle to the physical rigours of the English top flight which Zola took by storm, conjuring goals and chances from nothing and mesmerising opponents with his close ball control, his eye for a pass and his set-piece expertise.
You can never get bored of watching this... #Zola20 pic.twitter.com/RhljM2aOWt
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 8, 2016
The Italy international made 229 Premier League appearances for the Blues, scored 59 goals and produced 22 assists.
He also helped Chelsea win the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the League Cup and two FA Cups and was twice voted the Premier League's Player of the Month.
Zola won the Football Writers' Association Player of the Year in 1997, the Chelsea Player of the Year award twice and in 2003 was voted Chelsea's greatest ever player.
The 50-year-old returned to the Premier League in 2008 when he became manager of West Ham United.