Aaron Cresswell has said an emotional goodbye to West Ham ahead of his final home game and some of his past and present teammates have been paying tribute to him.
When you stay at a club like West Ham for 11 years you will have had plenty of teammates.
There has been a major turnover of players in that time.
And that will continue this summer with the Hammers looking to rebuild the squad for Graham Potter.
Except this time Aaron Cresswell, who has watched well over 100 players come and go since he joined in 2014, is one of those being sent on his way.
Cresswell emotional ahead of West Ham exit
Cresswell wanted to stay at West Ham for at least one more year.
Indeed many feel the Liverpudlian deserved – and had proved himself worthy – of a new contract.
There is no denying Cresswell has been West Ham’s best central defender of late under Potter.
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That, and the fact he is a leader in the dressing room, has made the decision to let him go all the more surprising for some.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Potter has not offered up any particular reason as to why he is letting Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal and Lukasz Fabianski go.
That’s most likely because it needs no explanation.
West Ham’s aim is to rebuild the team around younger, more dynamic and exciting players for a new era.
Cresswell was in tears as he delivered his farewell video message to Hammers fans.
Karren Brady responded to Cresswell’s video and was pounced on by West Ham supporters for not giving the 35-year-old a testimonial.
Rice and Lingard lead tributes from great and good to Cresswell
All good things come to an end.
And Cresswell and West Ham have certainly been on to a good thing together.
A popular figure with teammates and staff, Cresswell will leave a big hole in the West Ham dressing room.
Supporters have been sharing their love for long-serving bargain £3.5m buy Cresswell.
West Ham have announced special plans to honour Cresswell against Forest and have made a request of fans.
Now it is the turn of his former and current teammates.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
From Carroll to Fornals and plenty more share love for Cresswell
Declan Rice and Jesse Lingard have been leading the tributes to departing West Ham star Cresswell ahead of his farewell.
And it really is quite beautiful to read as the great and the good respond to his departure.
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Former Hammers striker Andy Carroll said: “Decoy Derek, some great times there.”
Brazilian winger Luis Guilherme echoed many others by stating: “Legend.”
Ex West Ham fan favourite Robert Snodgrass revealed he was tearing up watching Cresswell’s farewell: “Amazing memories Cress, somebody cutting onions.”
Pablo Fornals, now back in the Europa Conference League final with Real Betis, said: “Love you brother. West Ham legend.”
Former striker Divin Mubama commented, saying: “Realest.”
Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen said: “What a guy” alongside heart emojis.
Carlos Soler, who will also be saying farewell to West Ham, thanked his teammate: “Thank you, Cress! West Ham legend!”
Danny Ings said “what a man” while Max Kilman simply commented with a Goat emoji.
The two players Cresswell has been sharing left-back duties with most recently also had their say.
Paqueta and Fullkrug label Cresswell a West Ham legend
Emerson Palmieri said: “West Ham legend Cress!” while Ollie Scarles added: “Some player, an inspiration.”
Outspoken striker Niclas Fullkrug responded calling Cresswell a “legend”.
Former Hammers winger Matt Jarvis called his old teammate a ‘top pro’: “What a guy! Top pro and top player and servant to the club!”
Lucas Paqueta simply called Cresswell a “legend” while Nayef Aguerd, on loan at Real Sociedad, adopted a Scouse accent to write: “Cressy laaaa” along with handshake and heart emojis.
Alphonse Areola responded with hearts as did Carlton Cole, Craig Dawson and Kurt Zouma.
A blast from the past, Andre Ayew, also commented, saying: “Baller” alongside heart and flame emojis.
Lingard, who lit up West Ham for that magical six month spell, commented from South Korea, saying: “What a guy” along with hearts.
Cresswell’s close friend and former Hammers captain Rice added: “What a player, even better person” with three heart emojis.