Flynn Downes is not the first former Ipswich Town youngster to arrive eager to make his Premier League breakthrough with West Ham United.
It is eight years since a 24-year-old Aaron Cresswell moved down the A12 from Suffolk to east London, having spent three seasons developing and improving his game with Ipswich.
The defender was untested at the highest level but settled into life in the Premier League so quickly and effectively that he was voted Hammer of the Year at the end of his first season in Claret and Blue.
Cresswell has since gone on to make nearly 300 first-team appearances for the Irons, earn three senior England caps and is now West Ham’s longest-serving player.
Nearly a decade on and midfielder Downes (pictured, right), via a single season at Swansea City, has moved from Portman Road to London Stadium and will seek to emulate Cresswell’s achievements.
The No3 is still in contact with a number of old friends at Ipswich and received positive feedback when he made enquiries about his newest West Ham teammate.
“I’ve heard some good things about him and funnily enough I know his agent well as well and he said Flynn is a great kid and he works hard and he’s good on the ball and I’m excited to see him play, so he’s a great addition to the squad,” said Cresswell.
The pair could be in action at their former club on Tuesday evening, when David Moyes’ squad is split in two for a pre-season double-header.
One half will go to Ipswich to take on the EFL League One promotion hopefuls, while the other will travel to National League club Boreham Wood, who reached the FA Cup fifth round last season, with both matches kicking-off at 7pm.
The Hammers’ loyal supporters will have decisions to make as to which game to attend but, wherever he turns out, Cresswell knows the Claret and Blue Army will be there to cheer on him and his teammates, including new boy Downes.
“The fans turn up wherever we go, and we saw that commitment in the Europa League last season and I’m sure it’ll be the same this year,” he enthused. “It’s pre-season, but we know they’ll turn out in their numbers, which is fantastic.”
You can follow Tuesday's pre-season double-header on whufc.com and across our social channels. If you would like to attend either match in person, click here for ticket information.
