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Farewell to former Hammers’ hero | odds-on to end his career

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Time, it seems, is catching up with another former West Ham player and trophy winner who is likely to to be finishing his career at the end of this season.

After 249 appearances in Claret and Blue, former Hammers’ defender Angelo Ogbonna looks set to leave Championship side Watford.

A West Ham favourite, having signed during Slaven Bilic’s era in 2015, Ogbonna scored 13 goals for the Hammers during his eight years at the club but was released at the end of last season. “Oggy” had a dubious start to his Hammers campaign after signing for €11 million, scoring an own goal against Astra Giuriu in the Europa League on his debut.

In 2021 Ogbonna badly damaged his knee in the Liverpool tie and missed the rest of the season – however after recovering from what turned out to be a pretty horrendous ACL injury, Ogbonna returned to the first team in 2022 again in the Europa League and was a member of West Ham’s trophy winning team in 2023.

It was confirmed by bbc.com today that Watford have decided to release Oggy at the end of this season.“Ogbonna, 36, made just eight appearances this season and was the biggest name to be released when the club announced its retained list. ” At the age of 36 it would seem unlikely that the defender will find another club so it may well be time to hang up his boots after a pretty illustrious career. We wish him well!

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From the old Bobby Moore Upper to the Billy Bonds' stand these days - sometimes- have to admit I have not renewed my season ticket... I've been watching since '03 and a supporter since about 1970..
Favourite player - Dean Ashton: Still watch YouTube repeats of the Cup Final of 2006 hoping in vain that Shaka Hislop grows six inches and stops Steven Gerrard's injury time equaliser. Can tell I'm getting old knowing I saw both Mark Noble's debut and his last game at West Ham.
Pulling on a Claret and Blue replica shirt still makes me feel the same butterflies as when I was seven years old. Magic.