Callum Wilson is ready to get the Claret and Blue Army cheering for him after joining West Ham United.
The striker famously scored 12 goals against West Ham for previous clubs AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United, including a hat-trick in just his third Premier League appearance for the Cherries at the Boleyn Ground in 2015.
Now, though, the England international is planning to turn jeers to cheers after putting pen to paper on a one-year contract at London Stadium.
With 88 goals and 23 assists in the Premier League to his name, there is no doubt that Wilson possesses the quality to make his mark at the highest level.
And, after following former podcast partner Michail Antonio’s recommendation and agreeing a deal with the Hammers, he wants to keep scoring and creating goals in east London…
Welcome to West Ham United, Callum. How does it feel to be here?
“Amazing! I'm excited, joining a massive Football Club, a Club that shares similar passion to mine, hard work, dedication and also I strive for success so I'm glad to be a part of it.”
Are you looking forward to working under Head Coach Graham Potter?
“Yeah, he's a manager who I've followed his career, we've played against each other many times, whether he was at Brighton or Chelsea, his was always a team that changed formation so many times within the game, so you're constantly trying to work it out.”
You were a man in demand this summer, so why did you pick West Ham?
“East London is now going to be home which I'm happy about, and yeah there were obviously opportunities to go elsewhere, but I feel there's a wrong that I need to make right with the West Ham fans especially, and I'm looking forward to getting in front of them at the London Stadium.”
Speaking of that, you've scored a fair amount of goals against us over the years, but now you'll be scoring for West Ham in the famous Claret and Blue. Can we say that playing in East London brings out the best in Callum Wilson?
“Yeah honestly, there was actually no reason why! I think when I first joined the Premier League many years ago [in 2015] I scored my first Premier League goal [for Bournemouth] against West Ham which resulted in a hat-trick.
“Ultimately you get confidence from that every time you step out on the field against a team of such stature. The fans are so passionate, singing, chanting, the bubbles are flowing and as an opposition player when you come into that environment it actually gets you going a little bit as well, so I guess that was kind of what happened.
“I had a friend here, Michail [Antonio], who also would tell me ‘if I score against you I have to do celebrations’ so it brought an extra five or ten per cent each time I played, but now I'm here to score for West Ham and, like I say, the goals that I scored against them I'll repay that by scoring for them.”
We have no doubt about that and, in terms of speaking of Michail, you're probably familiar with a number of other West Ham players too. Have you had a chance to speak with any of them?
“I've spoken with Michail, and he only mentioned positive things about the Club, said it's a great opportunity, and yeah I think I'm looking forward to meeting the other players.
“I've been in the England squad with James Ward-Prowse before and you play against these guys week in week out, so I'm guessing they'll have a different opinion of me when they meet me in the dressing room as opposed to when you come up against an opposition player.
“On the pitch, you obviously have to put away the smile and be a little bit more serious, a little bit more aggressive, so yeah it'd be nice to actually be friends with the guys rather than in opposition!”
As you say, you're probably very familiar with the group of guys that we have in the building here, the talent that we have at West Ham, how excited are you to play alongside this group of players?
“I'm extremely excited, there's such talent within the squad and it's got some amazing players. And obviously Graham's come in now, he's making everybody a team, all working in the same direction to achieve the goal which is to be finishing in the high places in the league and it's what the fans deserve, what the team deserve and it's what the squad quality deserves also.”
Speaking of yourself, your career record is pretty impressive. You've scored 88 Premier League goals so you must be feeling confident you can continue doing so in a West Ham shirt?
“Yeah definitely. I back myself 100 per cent and the fans will see the best of me and hopefully they'll get behind me. Like I say, once we're scoring and we're on the same side it will all be forgiven and forgotten.”
Speaking of the West Ham fans, you're aware they're passionate, they're loyal, they live and breathe the Club, so how excited are you to play in front of them and really experience the passion of the West Ham fans at London Stadium?
“Massively. Like I mentioned before, hearing them for their team week in week out when you’re playing against them, it's going to be great to have them on my side now, backing me to score goals.
“I'm grateful for the opportunity, it's such a talented squad like I mentioned here and I think this year it will be a successful season.”
What’s your final message to the Claret and Blue Army?
“Obviously what's gone on before is gone, it's in the past, it's ultimately about the badge on the front of the shirt, not the name and the number on the back so, for me, judge me week in week out when I'm giving 110% for the team.”
