West Ham’s £40m defender Max Kilman has revealed his childhood Hammers heritage and described his transfer as ‘coming home.’
The detail of Kilman growing up in Newham somehow escaped the initial round of interviews upon his signing. But now, the centre-back has spoken to the official West Ham website, explaining that he lived locally before his family moved when he was nine.
“It feels great to be back in London,” Kilman said. “Not too many people know this, but I’m actually from West Ham. I grew up in West Ham until I was nine, and then I moved to northwest London. So, being closer to home and closer to friends and family is really good.
“This is the perfect move for me. I went to West Ham Church school, and my dad used to go to West Ham Park, so obviously I’m very local and grew up here. It feels like I’m back home.”
To be perfectly honest, I was warming to Kilman anyway, but this has added another layer.
He has turned out to be a far better defender than I anticipated, which may sound slightly odd given his transfer fee. But he looks to be the complete defender, and the fact that he hails from East London makes it even better.
It’s w shame West own media department didn’t put it out there he’s a West Ham boy when he first joined us. He might have got a better reception rather than certain folks just complaining about how much he cost like the money came out of their own pockets.
Nice to hear that he is, in fact, a local lad. Good on yer Max!