Arrived at Chelsea in November 1997, turning in a series of devastating displays which eventually won him the Player of the Year award for the 1996/97 season.
He was Maradona's successor at Napoli, and became known in Italy for his free-kicks. Indeed, he held the record for free-kick goals in Serie A until his record was broken by Sinisa Milhailjovic in 1999/2000.
Continued his great form in 1997/98, scoring the winner in the European Cup Winner's Cup Final and cementing his place in Chelsea history.
However his performances in 1998/99 and 1999/2000 were punctuated by a singular lack of goals and a loss of confidence.
Talk was of his return to Italy but he stayed to fight for his place with the new arrivals at Stamford Bridge. Kept his place in the first team for the 2000/01 season, but the following campaign Eidur Gudjohnsen had grabbed his starting place.
Even so, many will forever remember his outrageous side-foot-cum-backheel against Norwich City in an FA Cup tie that season that set the competition alight.
Zola considered, long and hard, returning to Italy in the summer of 2002. The player declared it was time to do what his family wanted after they had followed him for so many years.
In the end, Zola extended his contract at Stamford Bridge and even started to take on coaching duties. By then he had played 266 games for Chelsea, scoring 64 goals.
His honours with the Blues include winners' medals in the FA Cup in 1997 and 2000, League Cup, European Cup Winners' Cup and European Super Cup in 1998 and Charity Shield in 2000.
Also picked up runners-up medals in the Charity Shield in 1997 and the FA Cup in 2002.
After the Abromovich revolution, Zola returned home to Italy to end his career, having agreed a deal with a lower profile Italian side, he decided to honour it and not stay on at Chelsea, a clear example of what a legend and gentleman he is
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