Callum Wilson has taken to social media following a savage backlash from West Ham fans over his arrival at the club.
The striker’s post comes amid a turbulent start to life in east London, with many supporters still angry over his past comments, conduct and the simple fact West Ham have signed an ageing and injury-prone striker.
Going into the summer transfer window, West Ham declared they wanted to sign two new forwards.
Danny Ings was released, Evan Ferguson’s loan was not made permanent and Michail Antonio has been released.
Many West Ham fans not happy with Wilson signing
Graham Potter reportedly told West Ham’s owners he did not want to sign a new striker.
That worried the board and Hammers fans, who feel two are needed as a minimum.
One has arrived in the form of free agent Callum Wilson, who turns 34 next season.
Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham were signing Wilson – sparking uproar and disbelief among some sections of the fanbase.
Many West Ham fans have been voicing their disapproval at the signing.
A number of fans believe the club should have retained Antonio instead of signing Wilson, who turns 34 next season and spent the equivalent of three full 38-game seasons out injured during five years at Newcastle.
Wilson has wound Hammers fans up over the years with more goals against them than any other club.
The 33-year-old has got under the skin of some Hammers fans, such as when he referred to his handball goal against them for Bournemouth as a ‘touch of magic’.
Wilson also mocked West Ham’s Europa Conference League triumph – saying it was as meaningful to winning a trophy on the video game FIFA.
Wilson posts on social media after savage West Ham fan backlash
Although his comments were clearly banter with the man he is replacing at West Ham, Antonio, they still irritated fans.
It is also not lost on Hammers fans that Wilson is a client of agent Will Salthouse, who is close friends with West Ham chief David Sullivan and his sons.
In mitigation, Wilson did describe West Ham as a club ‘everyone wants to play for’ in the past too.
He will now get that opportunity but knows he will have to win over the club’s supporters.
Wilson has spoken out on social media after a savage West Ham fan backlash to his arrival.
West Ham’s 57th striker signing of the last 15 years has been on something of a charm offensive since completing his move.
In his first interview upon joining West Ham, Wilson pleaded with fans to let bygones be bygones and vowed to repay them with goals.
“Obviously what’s gone on before is gone, it’s in the past, it’s ultimately about the badge on the front of the shirt, not the name and the number on the back so, for me, judge me week in week out when I’m giving 110% for the team,” Wilson told the club’s website.
Wilson posted on X after joining and was on the receiving end of some serious abuse from some Hammers fans who were telling him he’s not welcome.
Wilson on charm offensive as he watches West Ham on laptop
Now he has followed that up with a post on Instagram showing what he was doing while West Ham were playing Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series in Atlanta.
And Wilson has continued his efforts to show West Ham fans he cares and is serious about being a success.
Because he posted a picture of himself on Instagram Stories watching West Ham’s 2-0 win over his former club Bournemouth on a laptop.
It’s nice to see Wilson supporting his new teammates from afar.
As far as most true Hammers fans are concerned, they will back anyone who wears the claret and blue and gives their all.
Wilson knows the answer to getting West Ham fans on his side – scoring goals.
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