Jack Wilshere has expressed his delight on joining West Ham. Despite his long association with Arsenal, there are pictures of a young Wilshere, who was born in Stevenage, wearing a West Ham shirt. His father and brother are also West Ham supporters.
‘It feels good, it feels special,’ Wilshere told the club’s website. ‘Many people know that I’ve had a special bond with this club growing up. People will have seen the picture of me in a West Ham shirt and I’ve got good memories of my childhood supporting West Ham, watching them at Upton Park. It feels good and of course my family and a few of my friends are West Ham fans so everyone’s buzzing.’
Wilshere also pinpointed Pellegrini’s faith in him as a big reason why he chose West Ham over his other options.
‘I think it was a number of things,’ he said, ‘the manager being one and the way he wants to play and where he sees me playing. The fans, of course – everyone knows how big West Ham’s fanbase is – and especially in this new stadium. Not many clubs could fill it week in, week out, and West Ham do. I want to be playing here in front of the Hammers, and my bond I’ve had with the club over my childhood will make it even more special.’