With his loan spell expired after the Leeds United game, Chris wasn't sure which part of London his immediate future would lie in. But the former England international is delighted to have secured a contract at Upton Park for the rest of the season, and outlined his determination to help West Ham United back to the Premiership.
"Thankfully everything is sorted out now," he said. "I've signed a deal until the end of the season and now my aim is to help the Club win promotion.
"We've got a very capable squad, packed full of quality players, and I don't see any reason why we can't take this Club back to the Premiership. We've got to make a big push for promotion over the second half of the season and I'm glad that I'll be able to play a part in that."
The former Charlton Athletic star admitted that it was a wrench to leave the Valley after six years. But, having come to Upton Park on loan in search of regular first-team football, his positive experiences at the Hammers eased his transition to East London.
"I'd been at Charlton a long time," he mused, "so naturally it was difficult to leave. But I came to Upton Park to get regular first-team football and I've loved playing for West Ham.
"There's a very good culture here as well as an excellent bunch of lads and it's been a pleasure to be involved. Alan Pardew and his staff are forward thinking in their approach to the game and everyone is united in their desire to bring the big prize of promotion to Upton Park."
Chris also had a word of thanks to the Hammers supporters for making his decision a whole lot easier.
"When you move between clubs in London you are never sure how the fans will respond," he confessed. "But the West Ham supporters have been terrific to me since I arrived and their backing of the team is incredible.
"I think everyone acknowledges that West Ham United is a club in the wrong division and I'm delighted to earn such a prestige move this late in my career."
Despite his assertions that West Ham have all the attributes to win promotion this season, the full-back also warns that the Championship is no easy division to escape.
"This is renowned as an incredibly tough League to get out of," he confessed, "and this season it's very tight at the top of the table. There are five or six teams vying for the automatic promotion places and we've got to be strong over the second half of the season.
"Christmas will be a key period for us. There are lots of points at stake and we need to come on strong and get a decent run going over the next few months.
"But there's still a long way to go and it's pointless worrying what the other teams are doing right now. We know that we're capable of winning promotion, we just need to focus on what we're doing, and make sure we keep winning games from now until May."
Although his future at Upton Park is confirmed until the end of the season, Chris is reluctant to speculate on what will happen beyond the current campaign, preferring instead to focus on more immediate goals.
"At this stage of my career I really can't afford to look too far into the future," he confessed. "I'm really enjoying my football at the moment and am up for the challenge of helping this Club into the Premiership.
"For me this is a great move and I hope it benefits the Club and supporters as much as it does me. I don't want to think beyond the end of the season. We'll just have to wait and see."