Aaron Wan-Bissaka says it was a ‘no brainer’ to make the switch back to London when West Ham United came calling after joining the Club on Monday.
Fresh from putting pen to paper on a seven-year deal in east London, the 26-year-old becomes the Hammers’ eighth summer signing, following a five-year spell at Manchester United, where he enjoyed a trophy-laden period at Old Trafford.
Having come through the ranks of Crystal Palace’s academy, he made his professional debut for the Eagles in February 2018 and picked up both the fans’ Player of the Year award and also the Players’ Player of the Year award in his first full season.
Now, as he prepares to return to his native London, Wan-Bissaka is delighted to be linking up with a squad as full of quality in different areas of the pitch, and after chatting to Head Coach Julen Lopetegui and Hammers Technical Director Tim Steidten, he is relishing the opportunity to be part of an exciting project.
“It was a no brainer for me to join West Ham — I'm excited and happy to be here,” the new No29 confirmed.
"It’s an amazing feeling to be back in London, and I’m excited for what’s coming. I was born here, so I know the ins and outs of London, which plays a big part in my life, so to be back playing in this city means a lot to me.
"I’m happy to be here, am grateful for the warm welcome, and I am excited to be playing for the Club and will give it my all.
"I can’t wait to get on the pitch, get to know the players, and push on from there. I see a team that is in it together, that will push each other to win, and a group that has got each other’s back through thick and thin, so being part of that and having that insurance helps a lot when you are surrounded by a good squad."
Wan-Bissaka has already enjoyed success in the Premier League, after making 190 appearances for the Red Devils, during which he developed into one of the best one-on-one defenders in the top flight and won the FA Cup, EFL Cup, and reached the UEFA Europa League final.
However, it was the opportunity to return to London and the Hammers’ project that helped convince the Croydon-born star to sign for the Club, and he is relishing the opportunity to continue his journey in east London.
Wan-Bissaka added: “First of all, it was about the location. My family and support are here, but also as a team, we are all aware of the quality they have going forward, and I can see the team we have here and how hungry they are to become the team that they want to become.
“It looks as if the project the Head Coach has the Club heading towards is positive, and it’s something that I am proud to be a part of.
“We know it isn’t going to happen overnight [the project], and we have still got to work as a whole to get where we want to be. Everything has sounded positive, and I think we have got the players to be able to do that.
“Returning to London was a big factor in my move here, as this is where I am comfortable and have friends, family and support.
“I’m looking forward to it [having 62,500 fans on my side], and it will definitely be better than all of them cheering against me.”
When describing his own game, Wan-Bissaka, who has a nickname of “The Spider," as he is a player always capable of unfurling one of his long legs and finding a way of trapping the ball away from an attacker, was keen to stress his emphasis on defending and has expressed his intentions of delivering silverware through his time in Claret and Blue.
“Definitely [can see himself winning more trophies at West Ham],” Wan-Bissaka said. “You’ve got to think positively, and that feeling of winning is good, so why not share it with my teammates? I think that is what we all want.
“My main focus is to defend but to also improve every day because I don’t think there is any limit. I think you can always get the best out of someone to keep trying, and that is my aim — to keep working hard, improving, and giving my all for my teammates.”
