Nayef Aguerd was all smiles after helping West Ham United to a 1-0 UEFA Europa Conference League Group B win over Silkeborg IF on his competitive debut.
The Morocco international centre-back was appearing for the first time in Claret and Blue, having recovered from the ankle injury he suffered at Rangers in a pre-season match back in July.
The No27 showed no ill-effects in an impressive first showing, demonstrating his full range of talents, from his reading of the game to his pace, defensive strength and intelligent and accurate distribution.
While manager David Moyes has hinted that Aguerd’s Premier League debut may still be delayed as he works his way back to match fitness, the defender is feeling good and positive about his future prospects, including West Ham’s direct progress to the round of 16 following Thursday’s victory at London Stadium.
It was great. I’d been waiting for this moment since after I had my injury.
Unfortunately I had this injury soon after I came to West Ham and having two months out of the pitch has been hard, but today was the right time in front of our fans.
Thank you to everyone who helped me to come back – the medical staff, the player care department, everyone, and also my national team – so I am very happy.
It was difficult because I came here, and I know the Club trust me because they spent a lot of money on me, and the fans were excited to see me on the pitch.
Football is something we don't control, and injuries are part of our career, so today I'm just happy.
I'm trying to enjoy the moments with the lads, and I will keep working. I work hard, so I keep working to come back stronger than before.
I had the chance also to see a lot of games and I knew the lads, I was on the bench for all the games, so it was difficult to watch them on the pitch. As I told you, I'm very happy, very proud. I worked a lot, so I'm very proud.
We play every game to win, and it was our goal to finish top of the group.
Now we have another game in the Premier League against Manchester United, and we are not finished with the European games, as we still have another game in Bucharest.
So, we'll have time to prepare for this game and we are very happy for qualification and that's it.
I always had the World Cup in my mind.
It was difficult to make a choice before the surgery, but I had confidence in the medical staff.
I want to thank the surgeon James Cutler who did the operation for me, the surgery, so I am in time, so let's see what's happening next.
I know the atmosphere the West Ham fans create.
Before I signed here, I watched a lot of West Ham games and the fans, I know they push the team from the first minute to the to the last one.
I was very excited to play in front of them and I'm very lucky to play my first game here in London Stadium in front of our fans. I knew the atmosphere, so today was unbelievable.
