by Staff Writer
Wednesday, 10th September 2025
Lukasz Fabianski has revealed he was delighted - and not a little surprised - to be offered the opportunity to return to the goalkeeping department at West Ham.
The 40-year-old veteran teams up once again with Alphonse Areola and will seek to forge a new relationship with summer signing Mads Hermansen, who has taken the club's number one slot since arriving from Leicester City.
Being settled in Essex with his young family and having failed to find alternative employment locally since completing his most recent contract with West Ham back in June, it was a no brainer for Fab to return to Rush Green when he got the call just a few days ago.
And he admitted he felt like he was coming home when turning up for training earlier this week, having accepted the club's offer to replace the outgoing Wes Foderingham.
"This was a nice surprise because everything happened so quickly," Fabianski told West Ham's website. "I only found out about the situation [with Foderingham] at the end of last week.
"My family situation was the main reason why I didn’t even consider moving abroad. I’ve been approached by clubs around the world but I had to say 'no' because we are settled here. My boy is settled here, so that obviously was a big consideration.
"I got really emotional when I arrived and saw [player liaison officers] Charlie and Stu coming out to meet me at the car park as it hit me that it’s actually happening. It was a lot to take in. I’m really happy to be back, because the club means a lot for me.
"We've always treated each other with huge respect and we always try to create a really nice bond as a team. I've always tried to be kind, supportive and respectful to people as well, so I’m guessing because of that they were really pleased to see me too.”
And with regards to working with former colleague Areola and new man Hermansen, Fabianski is hopeful that he can prove to be a positive influence on both.
"I’m here to help the group, to help Fonzy and Mads," he confirmed. "I get that and I’m happy to do it as well. I understand my role and I’m here to support, to keep the standards high. I’ll continue to work the way I’ve always been doing but at the same time, I understand that my role is completely different now.
"It’s crazy, life is beautiful and I’m so happy that I’m actually here again."
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