Aaron Cresswell shares his plan after West Ham as he sheds light on re-joining Ipswich Town

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A departure from West Ham United does not necessarily mean a departure from professional football as a whole.

Lukasz Fabianski turned down a return to Poland with former employers Legia Warsaw. But, even at the age of 40, the veteran goalkeeper appears to be in no rush to hang up his gloves.

Vladimir Coufal could be on his way to Leeds United alongside Tomas Soucek – their experience potentially invaluable in what may be a fierce battle down the bottom – while a 32-year-old Danny Ings could still be a lethal goalscorer for a club willing to play to his strengths.

As for Aaron Cresswell, the long-serving left-back has barely even considered the prospect of retirement.

Jesse Lingard and Declan Rice led the tributes when it emerged that his contract would not be renewed, while Alan Pardew described Aaron Cresswell as an ‘outstanding’ servant of 11 years at Upton Park and the London Stadium.

The Conference League winner could make his farewell West Ham appearance, meanwhile, in the most ‘fitting’ of circumstances on Sunday afternoon.

Aaron Cresswell says he won’t retire after leaving West Ham United

Graham Potter’s Hammers bring down the curtain away to Ipswich Town.

The club where Cresswell made his name in the EFL before being snapped up for a bargain £3.75 million at a time when Kevin Nolan, Nene and Morgan Amalfitano were wearing claret and blue.

“For my last ever game for West Ham, after 11 years at the club, to be back at Ipswich is fitting. It couldn’t have worked out any better really,” Cresswell tells the East Anglian Daily Times, all the while sending out a clear message to any clubs who may be on the lookout for a left-back with bags of nous and a wicked set-piece.

“First and foremost I’m definitely carrying on [in football]. There’s no doubt about that. I still feel like I’ve got a lot to offer on and off the pitch.”

Cresswell has been a regular fixture in Potter’s starting XI in recent weeks. He may have lost a yard or two of pace but, when operating on the left of a back-three, a lack of athleticism can be covered up pretty handily.

“Towards the back end of the season, I’ve managed to play a lot of games under the new manager that’s come in, whether that’s at left-back or left side of a three,” adds the Tranmere Rovers graduate.

“I’ve certainly learnt a lot from senior players over my career. The mentors I’ve had at West Ham have been Kevin Nolan and [current sporting director] Mark Noble, two fantastic leaders. You want to be like a sponge and absorb as much as you can.

“I’m 35 now and the older I’ve got the more you realise how important those experienced players are. We’ve got some young boys coming through at West Ham now and I try and help them in any way I can.

“It’s all been beyond my wildest dreams [what I have managed to achieve with the Hammers]. I have to say I’ll be forever grateful for the faith Ipswich showed in me at the start to help springboard me on the way to the incredible journey I’ve had with West Ham.”

Cresswell will not rule out Ipswich return ahead of Portman Road visit

When the subject of a potential second spell at Ipswich was brought up, meanwhile, Cresswell did not rule out the idea of becoming the prodigal son of Portman Road.

“Let’s see what happens in the summer,” Cresswell adds, Ipswich’s squad already boasting bags of Championship know-how.

“As I say, I’ve got no club in the summer, so let’s see what the summer brings.”

West Ham’s interest in Tractor Boys talisman Liam Delap adds another subplot to Sunday’s otherwise rather low-profile encounter.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna admits Delap can now talk to potential suitors as the window creaks open.