Kyle Walker-Peters was full of smiles after making his first West Ham United appearance in Wednesday’s Premier League Summer Series victory over Everton.
The 28-year-old England international, who signed for the Club on 20 July, started and completed the first half of the Toffees clash at Soldier Field in Chicago, in which Lucas Paquetá and Niclas Füllkrug scored the decisive goals after Idrissa Gueye’s opener.
Little under two weeks into his spell with the Hammers, Walker-Peters insists he has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know his teammates while out in the USA, as well as member of the Claret and Blue faithful who have thrown their support behind the team at games and at numerous fan events.
Walker-Peters said: “I’ve been wanting to play and wear the shirt since I joined. I'm happy to be finally up to the level of fitness to play 45 minutes, and I’m looking forward to continuing to progress.
“I’ve seen the fans from both sides now, having played at London Stadium for both Southampton and Spurs, and now in front of them as a West Ham player here in the US. I’ve always known how passionate they are, so it was great to finally play in front of them for them, and I really enjoyed the whole occasion.
“It was great to be out there with the team, and I’m looking forward to building those relationships. I’m here to compete, but that’s what brings the best out of you and pushes everyone else. If you want to be a successful team, that’s what you need.”
While he will continue to get to know his fellow defenders during the remainder of the trip across the pond, Walker-Peters reserved a mention for match-winner Füllkrug, who picked up the Player of the Match award against the Blues.
Our No2 is now itching for more gametime when West Ham take on AFC Bournemouth in their third and final Summer Series outing in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, when he hopes another three points could prove enough to lift the competition's trophy.
Walker-Peters added: “It was a ridiculous finish [from Füllkrug]. I didn’t expect him to shoot - it was a great goal, and that’s exactly what you want from your striker.
“Overall, I think we were good, and we dominated the ball. That’s something we’ve been working on, and I think our reaction to going a goal down was really important.
“We stayed patient and calm, and created the chances we needed to get the two goals and turn the game around. That’s what the manager wanted, and we’re all looking to take another step forward against Bournemouth.”
