West Ham United’s second summer signing Sofiane Feghouli says the Hammers’ ambition was a key factor in his decision to move to east London.
The 26-year-old opted to join Slaven Bilic’s revolution amid interest from a host of Europe’s top clubs, admitting the manager played a big role in his move from Spanish giants Valencia CF.
With a strong season behind them, a strong squad and a move to the 60,000-capacity London Stadium to look forward to, Feghouli told West Ham TV he cannot pull on the famous Claret and Blue shirt…
The 26-year-old opted to join Slaven Bilic’s revolution amid interest from a host of Europe’s top clubs, admitting the manager played a big role in his move from Spanish giants Valencia CF.
With a strong season behind them, a strong squad and a move to the 60,000-capacity London Stadium to look forward to, Feghouli told West Ham TV he cannot pull on the famous Claret and Blue shirt…
Sofiane, congratulations and welcome to West Ham United! How does it feel to sign for this Club and to be here in London?
“Thank you very much. I am very happy to have joined West Ham United and I am really looking forward to making my first appearance for the Club.”
Why did you choose West Ham over the other clubs that were interested?
“First of all, it was the ambitious sporting project that was presented to me by the Club and the manager. After considering the options with my family, I think it became an option that instantly stood out from the others. The direction of the Club, the new Stadium, the squad, the manager and the opportunity to play in the Premier League made it an easy decision for me to join West Ham.
A new era is beginning at this club with the move to the New Stadium, how will it be for you to play in front of 60,000 people?
“For a footballer, to play in front of lots of fans is really important. I love the passion that comes from the crowd and as I said, I can’t wait to get the season underway and to play for a club with a great history in England.”
“Thank you very much. I am very happy to have joined West Ham United and I am really looking forward to making my first appearance for the Club.”
Why did you choose West Ham over the other clubs that were interested?
“First of all, it was the ambitious sporting project that was presented to me by the Club and the manager. After considering the options with my family, I think it became an option that instantly stood out from the others. The direction of the Club, the new Stadium, the squad, the manager and the opportunity to play in the Premier League made it an easy decision for me to join West Ham.
A new era is beginning at this club with the move to the New Stadium, how will it be for you to play in front of 60,000 people?
“For a footballer, to play in front of lots of fans is really important. I love the passion that comes from the crowd and as I said, I can’t wait to get the season underway and to play for a club with a great history in England.”
Last year was a success for the team and we have secured Europa League football for this season, what did you think of what the team achieved last year?
“What surprised me last year with this team is the spirit that it has. It was a team that fought hard in every game and gave their all. There is also great quality in the squad and so I think that this season, the team can go on and achieve some great things both in the Premier League and the Europa League.”
How would you describe yourself as a player?
“I would describe myself as generous, it is always difficult to describe yourself, but I give my all every week.”
You have played in Ligue 1, La Liga and now, in the Premier League, how do you feel about the opportunity to play here?
“I have played in both Ligue 1 and La Liga. I think that La Liga and the Premier League are the best leagues around at the moment. It is a great challenge for me to play in the Premier League and this opportunity makes me really happy to be here at West Ham.”
“What surprised me last year with this team is the spirit that it has. It was a team that fought hard in every game and gave their all. There is also great quality in the squad and so I think that this season, the team can go on and achieve some great things both in the Premier League and the Europa League.”
How would you describe yourself as a player?
“I would describe myself as generous, it is always difficult to describe yourself, but I give my all every week.”
You have played in Ligue 1, La Liga and now, in the Premier League, how do you feel about the opportunity to play here?
“I have played in both Ligue 1 and La Liga. I think that La Liga and the Premier League are the best leagues around at the moment. It is a great challenge for me to play in the Premier League and this opportunity makes me really happy to be here at West Ham.”
Last year you worked with some English coaches at Valencia, how did you find that experience?
“I worked with Gary and Phil Neville at Valencia and it was a great experience for me. I have worked with a lot of coaches in my career and this was the first time I had worked with English-speaking coaches, so it was a good experience for me.”
Do you know any of your teammates here at West Ham?
“I know the players here because I follow football all the time, but I don’t know any of them personally yet.”
Have you played against any of them?
“I played against Cheikhou Kouyate for the Algeria national team when he was playing for Senegal and I came up against Dimitri Payet in the Champions League when he was at Lille in 2012/13.”
Your fellow countryman and Algerian national teammate Riyad Mahrez had a huge impact on the Premier League last year, do you feel you can have a similar impact?
“What he achieved last year was incredible and fully deserved as he worked hard to get to there. I have my own objectives, I am ambitious and want to achieve great things in Europe with the Hammers and to leave my mark.”
“I worked with Gary and Phil Neville at Valencia and it was a great experience for me. I have worked with a lot of coaches in my career and this was the first time I had worked with English-speaking coaches, so it was a good experience for me.”
Do you know any of your teammates here at West Ham?
“I know the players here because I follow football all the time, but I don’t know any of them personally yet.”
Have you played against any of them?
“I played against Cheikhou Kouyate for the Algeria national team when he was playing for Senegal and I came up against Dimitri Payet in the Champions League when he was at Lille in 2012/13.”
Your fellow countryman and Algerian national teammate Riyad Mahrez had a huge impact on the Premier League last year, do you feel you can have a similar impact?
“What he achieved last year was incredible and fully deserved as he worked hard to get to there. I have my own objectives, I am ambitious and want to achieve great things in Europe with the Hammers and to leave my mark.”