Flynn Downes has left the door open for a return to West Ham in an emotional farewell message after joining the Saints.
When West Ham signed boyhood Hammers fan Flynn Downes from Swansea he looked like the perfect long-term heir to Mark Noble and Declan Rice.
Athletic, committed, passionate, good on the ball, lovely range of passing.
But yesterday he was sold to Southampton in a permanent deal worth £18m after helping them get promoted back to the Premier League during a season-long loan there.
Although a big favourite with his fellow West Ham fans, Hammer turned Saints star Downes has divided opinion.
Universally adored at Southampton, some West Ham fans feel he would bring more to the team in open play than the likes of Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse – the man he replaced at Southampton.
Others feel the jury was very much out on whether he has what it takes to be a starter in central midfield for the Hammers in the Premier League.
Downes leaves door open for West Ham return
There had been speculation new West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui was open to keeping Downes.
It was also speculated Downes wanted to stay and have another crack at establishing himself in the West Ham team.
Especially after he shouted ‘Irons’ into the microphone when asked about his future on stage at Southampton’s promotion celebrations.
At the weekend Southampton boss Russell Martin to admit he would ‘cry himself to sleep’ if they did not sign him on a permanent deal.
The only ones crying now, though, are West Ham supporters reading what the midfielder has had to say to them about leaving.
Downes has left the door open for a West Ham return in an emotional farewell message after joining the Saints.
Downes’ emotional farewell to West Ham fans after joining Saints
Taking to social media, the 25-year-old said he has realised a dream by playing for West Ham and helping the club win a trophy.
But he simply had to leave to play week in, week out as he desires.
After training under new boss Lopetegui for two weeks, Downes also showed real class as he tells West Ham fans they are ‘in good hands’.
“Well Ironssssss, what can I say,” Downes said.
“I grew up as a boy dreaming of one day wearing that Claret and Blue shirt. I feel so privileged to have played for this fantastic football club, to have won a trophy and to be a part of that European journey is truly an honour.
‘You are in good hands’
“I want to thank the fans for always sticking by me and making me feel so welcome as one of their own from day one. Thank you to the staff and my team mates for inspiring me to get better every day, I made so many friends that will last a life time.
“Any footballer wants to play week in, week out and it is obvious I found regular minutes difficult to come by. That is football at the end of the day, I don’t harbour any bitterness, it was simply time for me to move on to another great club in Southampton, to continue my footballing journey.
“Hammers, you are in good hands and I wish you nothing but success this season. What a club! And what a special group of people as well!
“Who knows whether our paths with cross again one day but for now, thank you for everything.”
I think I have something in my eye.
West Ham have wished Downes good luck and thanked him for his time at the club.
The Hammers and he we will always have Prague – and of course the windmilling in Alkmaar.
It’s always sad when a true West Ham man leaves the club.
But as they say, once a Hammer, always a Hammer. And that’s certainly the case for Flynn Downes.
READ ALSO
Crook passes Sullivan message on to Everton about West Ham deal
Agent pleads with Sullivan to sign his client for West Ham
Sky Sports journalists deliver big West Ham transfer update on 5 targets
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
