For the first time in a highly successful career so far, James Ward-Prowse has a new home.
Having been on the books at Southampton since 2003, the midfielder has completed a transfer to east London and will once again bring his energy, leadership, and set-piece precision to the Premier League.
A kinship with the culture and philosophy at West Ham made opting to make the move to Claret and Blue an easy one for Ward-Prowse, who is looking forward to getting down to work now his move is complete.
Sat in the dugout at London Stadium for the first time, enjoying the sunshine and a moment of calm, the Irons’ newest signing talked about his switch to the Club, toughening up as a teenager, going through a transfer for the first time, his lethal accuracy from free-kicks and why he chose the No7 shirt.
James, welcome to West Ham United! As we sit here in the sunshine, looking out at the London Stadium pitch with your contract signed, how are you feeling?
“I’m feeling a lot of emotions. To leave Southampton to go on a new adventure with West Ham United, obviously there is a lot of emotion with that. But I’m full of a lot of excitement and positivity about what’s to come.
“From the outside looking in, this is a Club that has been on the rise for a number of years now and coming off the success in the UEFA Europa Conference League last year, you can feel there is a real momentum around this Club. It’s great to be a part of it and I can’t wait to play my role in the games to come.”
You’ve played at London Stadium a few times as an opposition player. How have you found the atmosphere and environment here?
“It’s amazing. It was during the time that the Club was transitioning to this stadium, so it was a different sort of atmosphere, but you can feel over the last couple of years how things have developed.
“This is never an easy place to play and the atmosphere can make this a really difficult place for the opposition.”
It’s important to recognise the twenty years you’ve spent at Southampton. You are the player and the person you are today because of your time there...
“I’m massively grateful to everyone there. It’s a club I grew up at, from the age of eight, and they gave me every opportunity to develop both as a player and as a man.
“They gave me the chance to fulfil my dream as a kid, and I’ll always be grateful to every single person there who has worked with me, and every fan that supported me home and away.”
This is the first time in your career you’ve ever gone through the process of a transfer…
“It’s been different! I’m normally the one who is welcoming the new additions to the squad so it’s strange for it to be the other way around. But I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Club, the people here and the players in the squad, and I’m sure this will be a place that I feel right at home at straight away.”
Let’s talk about your younger years. We read that you spent some time with Havant & Waterlooville in non-league as a teenager to effectively get toughened up. Was that true?
“Yes, I wasn’t the toughest player as a kid. That was probably one of the weakest parts of my game. So my dad reached out to Havant & Waterlooville. They were a team I used to go and watch quite a bit as a youngster, just to be around men’s football and see the banter and get me ready for the game.
“I think all those experiences can help you when you then step into a men’s senior team. It was interesting to say the least but it helped me grow up so much quicker and helped me get ready to play Premier League football when I was younger.”
We’ve seen you play in the Premier League for the last eleven years. Analysts and fans will talk about your qualities, but what do you think you bring as a player?
“The obvious one is the set pieces. I think that is a huge part of my game, with the deliveries, but I’ve always based my work around my work ethic and my desire to get better. I think that fits in with the way West Ham United is as a Club.
“From the outside looking in, West Ham has always demanded 100 per cent and you can see that in the players the Club has produced over the years. It feels like the right fit and hopefully I can show everyone here what I can do.
"I would say I enjoy being a leader too. Ever since I was young, I’ve liked the responsibility and having that role. I like to try and lead in different ways. My style is leading by example and trying to inspire others in the way I work. I think that is the most effective form of leadership and I hope I can bring that here too”
You’ve chosen the No7 shirt here at West Ham United. What was the reason behind taking that number?
“There were a few options available to me but I think it is no secret that David Beckham was a huge influence on me. He was an idol for me and, while I think of the No7 as a winger, I thought why not take a step into that number seven shirt.
“I’m not saying I’m going to play on the wing but hopefully I can emulate the David Beckham style that I wanted to have in my game as a kid.”
You talk about emulating Beckham, and you’re very close to overtaking his record of 18 Premier League free-kick goals…
“I’ve got that stat close to hand! It’s very close. He was the one I was trying to copy when I was playing football in the garden. I’m sure I’ve got plenty of kits with No7 on it somewhere.”
Your free-kick record even prompted Pep Guardiola to describe you as the best free-kick taker in the world…
“I’d heard that. It’s pretty big praise, keeping in mind the players he has worked with in his career. But I don’t think I’ll be satisfied until I’ve past Beckham’s record. Although I think Lionel Messi has still got the record to overrule everyone. If I only lose out to him though, I think I can be pretty satisfied.”
Were the free-kicks something you worked on a lot as a youngster?
“I can remember my mum shouting at me to come in for dinner and I’d be hitting one more, then one more, and now I’ve got the same problem with getting my little one in! It was something I practiced a lot as a kid. It was what I wanted to be in the garden, copying, and it’s paid off now. All that hard work was worth it.”
What’s the story behind the golf celebration?
“When I played with Danny Ings at Southampton, we were due to go out for a round of golf the day after one of the games. He set me up for the goal, so I did the celebration, but then he pied me off the next day and we didn’t play!
“So, the celebration isn’t dedicated to him but it’s for my little boy, Oscar, who loves golf. I need to have a word with Ingsy and let him know it wasn’t good from him.”
You mentioned him there – Danny Ings is someone you know well. You’ve played with Jarrod Bowen before too for England. How nice will it be to see those familiar faces again?
“Both are great lads. I know Ingsy a bit more from our time together at Southampton, where we played together for a few years. It always helps when you join a dressing room where you know players from previous clubs. It will be good to see them again and develop some new relationships too.”
We’re set for a third consecutive European campaign. You’ve played in the UEFA Europa League before for Southampton. How exciting is it to do so again here?
“It’s massive. I’ve always wanted to test myself on those stages and it can be difficult when you’re sat at home watching those competitions, because you desperately want to be there. You’ve been there before, you’ve had a taste of it and it’s a fantastic experience.
“That success West Ham had last season was amazing and it would be great to do something similar. I watched the UEFA Europa Conference League final as a proud English fan and I was rooting for West Ham to win. It was so good.
“I loved playing in Europe. First of all, to get the chance to travel around Europe was fantastic. To take the club to different places and represent them was special, and as a player you want to make that step up and play in the biggest competitions. I get to do that again here at West Ham this season, which is a really exciting prospect, and I’m looking forward to getting that underway.”
