Haller happy to be a Hammer despite exit
Former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller recently offered an unexpectedly positive perspective on his time with the club, despite facing a brief and challenging 18-month period.
Arriving in 2019 as West Ham’s record signing for £45 million from Eintracht Frankfurt, Haller struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under manager David Moyes. Eventually, he was transferred to Ajax for a significantly reduced fee.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Haller exhibited a refreshing absence of bitterness. While acknowledging the hurdles he encountered, he emphasized the value of the learning experience, describing his overall tenure at West Ham as “pleasant.”
Haller discussed the difficult decision to depart, stating, “I could have remained on the bench and not contributed… or pursued opportunities elsewhere with familiar faces.”
Haller happy to be a Hammer? The former striker had only good things to say about his time at West Ham
Since leaving West Ham, Haller’s career trajectory has been remarkable. Thriving at Ajax, he secured a move to the prestigious Borussia Dortmund as a replacement for Erling Haaland. Despite facing initial challenges due to a cancer diagnosis, he made a remarkable comeback, even clinching the winning goal for Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Haller’s positive remarks regarding his time at West Ham demonstrate maturity and respect for the club, despite the on-field challenges. His sentiment resonates with the cherished saying among West Ham supporters, “once a Hammer, always a Hammer!”
It’s a shame it never worked out for Seb (whether through mismanagement or lack of effort, who knows), but good to see he’s kicked on (ha) and remembers us without bitterness.