Nayef Aguerd makes West Ham United exit admission after deadline-day loan transfer

Nayef Aguerd has thanked West Ham United for allowing him to join Real Sociedad on loan, admitting he wanted to try something new this season.

The Algerian international departed the London Stadium in the final hours of the transfer window, joining the La Liga side on loan for the season having fallen down the pecking order under Julen Lopetegui.

Although Aguerd admitted he didn’t have time to discuss the move with the Hammers boss, he has been quick to heap praise on the former Real Madrid manager and wish him and the Irons well for the season.

As quoted by Noticias de Gipuzkoa (12 September) he said: “First of all, thank West Ham for letting me out.

“I have a contract with them and now I’m here, I don’t think about the past, only the present. I’m ready for the Real. I didn’t talk to Lopetegui because I signed in the last few hours.

“I know he’s from here, people know him better than I do, he’s only been two months and I wish him the best.”

Has Nayef Aguerd exited West Ham United and the London Stadium permanently?

It was clear for the entity of the transfer window and much of the second half of the season that Aguerd wasn’t particularly keen on remaining at the London Stadium for another season.

The 28-year-old had impressed in patches under David Moyes, but Lopetegui was eager to revamp the backline from the second he arrived in East London and both Aguerd and Kurt Zouma happened to be casualties.

Julen Lopetegui West Ham
West Ham United head coach Julen Lopetegui [Credit: Imago]

After a summer of heavy spending, getting the Algerian international and Zouma’s wages off of the books in the final days of the window ensured that both transfers were just as beneficial to West Ham as they were to the players.

Although some have suggested that Aguerd’s goodbye post shut the door on a potential return after his loan spell [Instagram, 31 August], his comment that he still has a contract with the Irons could mean that a return isn’t out of the question yet.

In other West Ham news, a Niclas Fullkrug injury twist has emerged at the London Stadium after the international break

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