When West Ham came in for me, I didn't have to think twice about it I wanted the transfer at all costs' Felipe Anderson on his time with the Hammers

"From the first contact I had with them, I was surprised but excited by their interest, especially coming from their new boss, Manuel Pellegrini. I'd been at Lazio for five years and written my story there, so I knew it was the right moment to move on. When West Ham came in for me, I didn't have to think twice about it I wanted the transfer at all costs."

"The negotiations were very straightforward and it was a hugely important step in my career, playing in a stadium that was packed every single match, with the fans always behind us regardless of results. Hearing my name sung and being applauded by the West Ham fans was really special. Sadly, it didn't last as long as I'd hoped. I would like to have stayed longer, but wasn't able to extend my time at the club."

West Ham paid 36million to sign Brazilian playmaker Felipe Anderson in summer 2018, breaking the club transfer record after Issa Diop's 22million move earlier that summer. Anderson had spent five years at Lazio, scoring 34 goals following his 2013 move from Santos. He made more than 70 appearances across two seasons at the London Stadium before joining Porto on loan in October 2020 and returning permanently to Lazio the following summer. Anderson later moved to Palmeiras in Brazil. He praised West Ham's tradition, Manuel Pellegrini's interest, the packed stadium atmosphere and the fans singing his name, and said he wished he could have stayed longer.

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