Though he perhaps stepped on the path towards a top-level football career not long after he learnt to walk, West Ham United forward Crysencio Summerville has never forgotten who he is, and what’s important to him.
The Netherlands youth international, who has cemented his place in the Hammers XI since announcing his return from a seven-month injury lay-off with an incredible display in August’s 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest in August, hails from humble beginnings, which he remembers as being full of love and warmth.
The second-youngest of eight children, Summerville was born into a busy household and a vibrant part of Europe's largest seaport, Rotterdam, where he mixed with people from a variety of cultures, made friends for life and enjoyed everlasting experiences.
“People would probably describe Rotterdam South as a bit of a difficult neighbourhood, but there were people from all walks of life and backgrounds there with us, and I think it helped make me the man I am today,” our No7 smiled.
“My family is from a Surinamese background, and there were people there from Türkiye, Morocco, Curaçao and Poland, too. I think we all came together, and it didn’t feel at all like people were judged for being from somewhere different.
“In my house, there was me, my Mum, my Dad and my seven brothers and sisters! I’ve got three big brothers, three big sisters and a little sister, so age-wise I’m the second-youngest. I’m definitely used to a big family, and I can’t imagine what it’d be like at Christmas if it was just me and my parents!
“My parents helped me get to where I am now, in different ways. Growing up, I was the footballer in the family, but my Mum, Jasmina, made sure I was focusing on education and keeping on top of things at school. She always talked about making sure I had a Plan B if things didn’t work out, which I think was important.
“My Mum is a really strong woman. We didn’t have a lot when I was growing up, and both my parents did two jobs to make sure we were alright. She had her own company, helping people with debts. She’s a really kind woman, and I’ll never forget everything she did for us.
“My Dad, Errol, has been with me from day one in terms of football, and I’m so grateful for his support. He was a footballer as well, but he had to stop because of a bad Achilles injury, so I only ever saw him play in the veterans leagues. He was a defender unlike me, so I think I take after my brother in terms of being an attacker!
“He was away from home quite a lot, because he used to drive big trucks, but he always tried to make training sessions and games. Whenever I saw my Dad, that gave me more motivation, and he’s always been honest with me, whether I’ve played well or not, which has been really important.”
With both of his parents having left their Suriname homeland separately in search of better opportunities in Holland, before they eventually met and fell in love, Summerville certainly seized the somewhat unlikely chance presented to him while he was still a very young boy, going on to progress through almost all the Feyenoord ranks before signing for Leeds United aged 18 in September 2020.
Ahead of his switch to northern England however, the tricky winger was aided on his journey to full-time football by another close family member, after moving to live with his grandmother in his mid-teens.
While she and other members of his extended family kept him grounded and taught him essential life lessons, including about his heritage and Surinamese culture, Summerville also looked up to members of the football community who shared similar backgrounds to his.
He continued: “I had a bit of an unusual route to Academy football, because I was scouted when I was still very young.
“I started with my local team, RVVV Noorderkwartier, when I was about four. My Dad was a coach there, and my brother played for the seniors. I’d only been there for a year or so when my brother and I were messing about with the first team, doing nutmegs and different skills, and all of a sudden someone who had been watching approached my brother and told him they wanted to invite me to train with Feyenoord.
“At first, none of us believed him and we asked him to show us his papers, but that was it. I started training with Feyenoord when I was about five or six, and after playing a proper match I was selected, and then that’s where I stayed until I left for Leeds when I was 18.
“When I was at an important moment on that journey, in my mid-teens, I moved to live with my grandmother, because my family moved away to Dordrecht.
“It made sense to stay in Rotterdam, because it was a lot closer to Feyenoord, school and everything else. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away a few years ago - she basically was my second Mum, and I owe her a lot.
“She was my Mum’s Mum, and my Dad’s Mum still lives over in Suriname. I have a lot of family still over there, such as aunties, uncles and cousins, and whenever I get chance, I try to visit.
“I’m very proud of my Surinamese heritage. I love the food and the people there, and as soon as you step off the plane, things feel different. I can’t really describe it!
“I’d say it is a bit like Brazil in some ways. It’s at the top of South America, and there’s a similar party-like culture. There’s a huge forest there and lots of animals, and there’s obviously a lot of history to do with slavery and it being a former Dutch colony.
“I’m also really proud of being Dutch, and some of my biggest role models growing up had a similar background to me. Clarence Seedorf is someone I really looked up to. He was born in Suriname, and went on to be a legend for the Netherlands. I think he deserves more respect than he gets actually, because he won pretty much everything there is to win as a player.
“Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is someone else I admire. When I was at Leeds he reached out to me and gave me some feedback, and since then we’ve connected on social media as well. The Leeds fans called me 'Jimmy' at first, which I was confused about until I realised it was after him!”
The importance of family has perhaps been as prevalent as ever for Summerville over recent months, as he battled the challenges posed by a long-term injury for the first time after sustaining a hamstring problem in January’s FA Cup third-round defeat at Aston Villa.
Up to that point, his career had been on a seemingly constant upward trajectory, with a four-year stay in Leeds yielding 25 goals in 89 appearances, honours galore - including the 2023/24 PFA and EFL Championship Player of the Year awards - and multiple standout moments, including an incredible winner against Liverpool at Anfield in October 2022.
Having arrived in east London in August 2024, Summerville, who turns 24 on 30 October, had shown flashes of his best form in Claret and Blue, including scoring his first West Ham goal against Manchester United 12 months ago, but all of a sudden was forced to watch on from the sidelines for over half a year, unable to aid his team’s endeavours.
Now firmly back in the fold, after a summer of hard graft in the gym and on the training pitch, he is thriving under new boss Nuno Espírito Santo, has started each of the Irons’ last five matches, and is itching to help wrestle his side up the Premier League table.
Summerville added: “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for me over the last few months, with the injury and missing the second half of last season, but my family and friends really kept me going and helped me a lot.
“My girlfriend, Janique, has been great. She’s been by my side since we got together in high school when I was 15, and she’s always been my biggest supporter.
“It was my first big injury last season, and it was hard. But I always try to be positive, and I tried to see it as a bump in the road. I worked hard to get back, and I’m enjoying every moment now.
“I was happy with what happened against Nottingham Forest in August, because it helped show me that all the hard work was worth it, and made me feel like I was really back.
“Since then, I’ve stayed fit, and now I just want to keep improving and have a big impact in the rest of the season. It’s been nearly a year since I scored for the Club, so it would be great to get on the scoresheet soon, too.
“Working with Nuno has been brilliant so far. He wants me to just do my thing, and be free in the final third while doing the basics well in defence. That’s what a winger wants to hear, and that’s what I’m trying to do. He understands my strengths, and he wants me to make the most of those, so let’s hope I can do that in the weeks and months ahead!”
