The Watford right-back Jeremy Ngakia has explained why he rejected the chance to stay at West Ham United this summer.
Ngakia spent the bulk of his teenage years on West Ham’s books, having arrived at the club from the Ballers Football Academy at the age of 14.
The South Londoner made his first-team breakthrough at the start of this year and made five appearances in total – all in the Premier League – before his contract expired at the end of last season.
Such was the positive impression made by Ngakia, the 20-year-old was offered a new deal by the Hammers.
But he turned it down to join Watford, for whom he started on the Championship’s opening day.
Discussing his decision with The Watford Observer, Ngakia said: “I just thought that at this moment in my career, the most important thing for me to develop and to kick start my career, is to play games.
“I didn’t think I was going to honestly get games at West Ham.
“It didn’t feel guaranteed and then Watford came in for me and it sounded very good, so it was a great opportunity for me and I had to take it.
“You’ve got to be brave, 100 per cent, and you’ve got to do what’s best for you.”
As well as Ngakia, West Ham lost another right-back in Pablo Zabaleta over the summer and have yet to replace the pair.
Ryan Fredericks and Ben Johnson have shared responsibilities so far this campaign.
West Ham’s record transfers
- Sebastien Haller
£45 million
- Felipe Anderson
£41.5 million
- Marko Arnautovic
£25 million
- Pablo Fornals
£24 million
- Issa Diop
£22 million
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