Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has completed a loan move to West Ham, the London club confirmed on Friday. The 28-year-old England international joins the Hammers until the end of the 2020/21 season and is expected to return to Old Trafford to see out the rest of his contract which ends in 2022.
Having been a regular for the Red Devils in the past five years, Lingard has found it difficult breaking into the first team this season. The academy graduate who has amassed 33 goals and 20 assists in his 210 appearances for the club, has managed one FA Cup appearance and two League Cup outings this term. As a result, the need to secure first-team football became of essence for the player who drew interest from a host of clubs in the Premier League.
West Ham eventually won the race for the attacker who will reunite with former manager David Moyes at the London Stadium. Despite the Hammers' insistence on including an obligation to buy clause in the deal, Manchester United did not budge. The Red Devils' manager even iterated in a recent press conference that the England midfielder still had a future at the club.
Delivering his first remarks as a West Ham player, Lingard said: "I'm excited. "It's another new chapter in my life. Nothing is guaranteed but I've come here to work hard and help the team and bring my experience. That's the main aim. I just want to enjoy my football and get back playing again and get my feet back on the pitch.
"There were lots of clubs involved but, for me personally, I felt this was the right move. I've obviously had a previous relationship with the manager as he was at Man U and I've played under him before, so he knows my qualities and what I can bring to the team. I know a couple of the players as well – I know Dec [Rice] very well from the England side – and I feel I can really settle in here quickly."
JLingz is a Hammer #WelcomeJesse pic.twitter.com/NXEk9xirbz
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 29, 2021
West Ham manager David Moyes also could not hide his admiration for his side's latest acquisition. In an interview with West Ham TV he said: "It's important that a player and manager have a good relationship. He's got really good morals, he gets his team working hard and I've had a chat with him already and there are no guarantees – it's down to me to put the work in and put the graft in, to get into the team and play well week-in, week-out.
"I can't wait to show [the West Ham fans] what I've got in store. I'm excited and I want to help the team push up the table as far as they can."
