West Ham hero Adrian says club’s oldest player Jussi Jaaskelainen is hardest worker

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West Ham United favourite Adrian has revealed who he thinks is the Premier League club’s hardest working player… 40-year-old Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The animated goalkeeper – whose full name is Adrian San Miguel del Castillo – has become one of the Hammers’ key players since taking over between the sticks from the reliable Finn last season.

In fact he must be rated as one of the club’s best ever signings given the fact Sam Allardyce snapped the Spaniard up on a free transfer from La Liga side Real Betis in 2013.

Jaaskelainen showed just how focused and professional he is by pulling off a string of fine saves when deputising for Adrian after he was sent off at Southampton earlier this year. The game was 0-0 at the time and as the Saints bombarded the visitors’ goalmouth, the man signed by Allardyce in 2012 stood firm.

Despite the former Bolton legend losing his number one spot to the man 12 years his junior for the best part of two seasons, he remains the most committed trainer at the club.

Speaking to West Ham’s official website, Adrian said: “The hardest worker? My mate Jussi. He is the oldest player in the team and (yet) he works everyday too much.”

It is a testament to the evergreen Finland ‘keeper that he is still the most dedicated pro despite spending most weekends sat on the East Londoners’ bench.

Some fans may see Adrian’s praise in a different light, though, and question why a 40-year-old is the club’s best trainer given their horrendous run of form since Christmas.

Adrian sealed cult hero status at the club when he thwarted Everton in an FA Cup replay penalty shoot-out earlier this season before calmly slotting the winning spot-kick himself. The vision of him throwing down his gloves as he stepped up against Roberto Martinez’s side will live long in the memory of Irons fans.

He is set to equal Jaaskelainen’s appearance total of 57 for West Ham if he plays in the remaining games this season.

Adrian also revealed that he spends the most time in front of the mirror out of all the club’s players, adding: “I have to make sure my hair is perfect!”