Departing midfield maestro Manuel Lanzini has broken his silence to send a deeply emotional West Ham farewell message.
After eight seasons, 226 appearances and 32 goals Manuel Lanzini left West Ham at the end of last month.
The 30-year-old ‘little jewel’ became a genuine Hammers hero but had faced an uncertain future at the London Stadium after falling down the pecking last season.
The Argentine midfielder was out of contract at West Ham at the end of June.
And although West Ham had the option to extend Lanzini’s deal by a further two years the decision was taken to part ways.
Lanzini will be remembered for some brilliant goals. But none more so than that barnstorming equaliser in the legendary 3-3 comeback draw at Tottenham.
Departing midfield maestro Manuel Lanzini breaks silence to send deeply emotional West Ham farewell message
Some fans feel alleged River Plate target Lanzini had been underused by David Moyes at West Ham.
Especially given the team’s struggles to keep possession – the Hammers had the second worst possession statistics in the Premier League last season – and the difficult spell endured by Tomas Soucek.
Since the announcement Moyes himself has admitted Lanzini is too good to be a bit-part player.
The Argentine spoke out in interviews and on social media last season about his lack of game time.
But he has been very quiet on his Hammers exit given the length of time he was at the club.
Until now.
Departing midfield maestro Lanzini has broken his silence to send a deeply emotional West Ham farewell message.
‘I arrived as a child and leave as a man’
And he admits he has found it hard to bring himself to say goodbye.
Lanzini says he arrived at West Ham as a child and became a man and thanks the fans for the love they showed him from the beginning to the end.
“It is hard to say goodbye to the place where one is happy,” Lanzini said alongside a video on social media.
“I arrived as a child and I leave as a man both personally and also in the football, where there were good and bad moments but always giving everything of me.
“I want to thank the institution for opening the doors of this beautiful club not only to me, but to my family as well. For accompanying me to grow as a footballer and for these eight years so beautiful that one lived.
“To the fans thank them for all the love they gave me from the first day I arrived, I found an incredible fans.They always supported us everywhere.
“And finally thank all my colleagues who were with me these eight years. Will always be in my heart. THANK YOU! Hammer forever. #ML10.”
I think I have something in my eye.
Good luck Manu – a true player who epitomises the very essence of the West Ham way.
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