West Ham United enjoyed a slice of Chicago’s world-famous deep-dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria in the heart of the Windy City.
The Hammers are in Chicago for the second round of the 2025 Premier League Summer Series, where Head Coach Graham Potter’s side will take on Everton at the historic Solider Field on Wednesday. Time is running out and tickets are going fast, so click HERE and use code PLSS20 now to save 20% on select seats.
Before then, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, winger Maxwel Cornet, Club ambassador Anton Ferdinand and former Hammer and Chicago native Jonathan Spector visited Lou Malnati’s in the Near North Side to taste a sample of Chicago’s favourite pizza, which the family has been making and serving in America’s third-largest city for over 50 years.
Handmade with the finest and freshest ingredients sourced from across the United States, Lou Malnati’s traditional pizza pies proved a big hit at the Chicago Hammers-hosted fan party held on Tuesday evening.
Official Supporters’ Clubs from across the US and fans from across the pond in the UK joined for an evening of stories from Ferdinand and Spector, autographs and selfies with Areola and Cornet and shared support and memories.
“West Ham is a family and tonight shows yet again just how big our family is!” Ferdinand told fans. “Chicago is my favourite city in America and it’s great to be back here for Premier League Summer Series, to meet so many fans and to enjoy a slice or two of deep-dish pizza!”
Spector, who left Chicago at the age of 15 to move to the United States Soccer Federation's Bradenton Academy, then played in the Premier League for Manchester United, Charlton Athletic, West Ham and Birmingham City and 36 times for the US national team.
He famously scored two goals in West Ham’s 4-0 League Cup quarter-final win over Manchester United at a snowy Boleyn Ground in November 2010 and shared that memory and many others with supporters.
“One of my friends from US came over from the game said he told me after the game he wanted put a bet on me to score, but when he went to the bookmaker they said they didn’t even have any odds for that to happen, but they made some odds, he put the money on, I scored and it paid for his whole trip!” Spector laughed.
Now Head of International Player Recruitment and Development at MLS club Atlanta United, Spector will welcome the Hammers to the Georgia-based team for training this weekend when West Ham fly south for the final game of the Premier League Summer Series against AFC Bournemouth at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday 3 August.
Before then, West Ham tackle David Moyes’ Everton at Soldier Field on Wednesday at 5.30pm CDT, and tickets are still available, so click HERE and use code PLSS20 now to save 20% on select seats.
West Ham need to bounce back from Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Manchester United in New Jersey with a victory to maintain hopes of winning the Summer Series.
NBC Sports, the Premier League’s US broadcast partner, will be the host broadcaster across NBCUniversal’s networks and Peacock, while fans in the UK will be able to watch the games live on Sky Sports.
Supporters can follow the Summer Series on our official digital and social channels, and via Premier League and PLinUSA channels on social media. Use #PLSummerSeries to get involved.
