Jesse Lingard only joined West Ham United last week but he already knows some of his team-mates in East London.
The 28-year-old signed for the Hammers on a half-season loan after falling down the pecking order at Manchester United.
Lingard’s goal will be to rebuild his career at West Ham with a view toward potentially making Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2020.
The English attacker has 24 caps for his country and has already shared a pitch with Irons midfielder Declan Rice at international level.
And speaking to West Ham’s official website, Lingard, who also knows Michail Antonio and Darren Randolph, has gushed over his new team-mate’s quality, describing him as ‘top class’ on and off the field.
He said: “Dec’s journey has been amazing. He’s a top-class footballer and a top-class professional and he deserves everything that comes his way. It’s great to be playing with great players who I’ve played with before and understand how I play as well.”
David Moyes’s side visit Aston Villa tonight and Lingard looks in line for a first-team debut since joining the capital club.
He hasn’t played once in the Premier League for the Red Devils this season, meaning that there may be an element of rust, but West Ham fans will be desperate to see him – and Rice – nonetheless.
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