West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has confirmed that summer signing Andre Ayew will likely miss the remainder of the year through injury.
The 26-year-old joined the Hammers in a club-record deal worth £20.5m earlier this month but lasted just 35 minutes of his league debut against Chelsea.
Ayew, who scored 12 goals in his maiden campaign in English football with Swansea City last season, was sent for a scan on Wednesday where it was revealed that surgery would be required to rectify the problem to his thigh.
Gold took to Twitter on Thursday morning to say: "Sad news. Ayew has injured his quadriceps and will need surgery. He will be out for 4 months. Good luck Andre."
West Ham's head of medical and sports science Stijn Vandenbroucke added: "My first thought and priority is with the player and his physical and mental well-being. The best thing we can do as a club is to support Andre through this difficult period."
West Ham went on to lose 2-1 to Chelsea in their opening Premier League fixture of the season on Monday evening.
Daniel Lewis
