West Ham flop Simone Zaza said he is lapping up life in sunny Spain but admitted Thursday his inability to adapt to life in the Premier League was "99% my own fault".

Italy striker Zaza, who became an internet sensation following a comical, dancing penalty miss against Germany in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, joined the Hammers on loan from Juventus last summer in a bid to secure more regular playing time.

But despite being considered one of the Azzurri's most talented young strikers the 25-year-old spectacularly struggled to impress, prompting a January move to La Liga side Valencia.

Zaza claimed the "different training methods" at the London club proved a significant obstacle, but not as big as his own failure to adapt.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, he said: "West Ham was one of the teams that wanted me the most.

"But pretty quickly I realised so many things weren't to my taste: the environment, the culture, the training and nutrition.

"I don't want to play the victim, I know that playing as a footballer allows you to earn a lot of money. I'm simply trying to explain the causes of my failure.

"I knew there would be some difficulties, but I didn't expect so many. I don't blame anyone: 99% of it is my fault because I was unable to adapt.

"I was so convinced I would, but I realised that I am probably so used to doing things in a certain way ... otherwise I'm lost and without direction."

Zaza said in physical terms, West Ham's less intensive training sessions were a handicap to his progress.

"Physically, I wasn't great. I'd done pre-season with Juventus so I was ok. But when I got there (London) I discovered different training methods: you exercise less, sometimes the sessions last 40 minutes and almost immediately I didn't feel good.

"I need to train more, to massacre myself."

Zaza said he quit West Ham reluctantly, adding: "It wasn't easy. I didn't want to walk away feeling a loser. The whole experience has stuck in my gut."

But with "the sun and the beach" in Valencia, Zaza said he is smiling again: "Everyone told me what a nice place Valencia is. And they were right.

"Give me the sun and the beach anytime and I will be happy, I don't need anything else."