James Ward-Prowse and a former West Ham favourite have featured in what are two of the most iconic announcement videos ever produced.
In an era where unveiling new signings has become an art form in itself, both clubs have struck gold welcoming the now ex Hammers into the fold.
West Ham have today announced the departure of James Ward-Prowse on loan to relegation rivals Burnley for the rest of the season.
Ward-Prowse knew his days with the Hammers were once again numbered when Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed as Graham Potter’s replacement.
The former England midfielder will now be looking to help ex West Ham hero Scott Parker try to keep Burnley up, perhaps even at the expense of the Hammers.
It brings an end to a dismal time of it for Ward-Prowse in east London.
Departing Ward-Prowse brings dismal West Ham spell to an end
The dead ball specialist became a face-swap meme alongside Potter in the weeks leading up to former manager’s West Ham sacking.
Potter recalled Ward-Prowse from his disastrous loan spell at Nottingham Forest last January and then made him one of the first names on his West Ham teamsheet.
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But the midfielder’s all-too familiar struggles to impact matches in open play resurfaced, leaving Irons fans questioning Potter’s decisions.
Ward-Prowse barely got a look-in at Forest under Nuno and was bombed out of the City Ground after just a handful of appearances.
So it was no surprise when the Portuguese made it perfectly clear Ward-Prowse had no future at West Ham when he took over.
Nuno did surprise many with just how brutal he was, though, completely ostracising Ward-Prowse from the first team squad until, ironically, the last game against Sunderland.
The mystery of the bust-up between Nuno and Ward-Prowse was finally solved recently and it was a rather hilarious, hair-raising reason few would have predicted.
Now Ward-Prowse has left the London Stadium once again, this time for Turf Moor.
It is the way he has been announced that will have everyone talking, though. And he is not the only former Hammer that has been unveiled by a new club in some style.
Ward-Prowse and an ex West Ham favourite have starred in two of the most iconic announcement videos ever.
Ward-Prowse and ex West Ham favourite star in iconic announcement videos
Combining creativity, personality and humour – as well as two of the most iconic moves of all time – the announcement videos will resonate far beyond their own fanbases.
Burnley’s media team are famed for their video content and signing announcements.
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But even they have outdone themselves with the way they have unveiled Ward-Prowse on his arrival from West Ham.
The Clarets used the classic briefcase scene from Quentin Tarantino’s legendary Pulp Fiction starring Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield and John Travolta as Vincent Vega.
In the scene Vincent opens a mysterious case, revealing a brilliant golden glow that leaves them mesmerised, though the audience never sees the contents.
This time they do, though, thanks to Burnley – and it is Ward-Prowse’s head as he says ‘Hiya’ and ‘Up the Clarets’.
Pulp Fiction and Back to the Future used to welcome ex Hammers
The announcement is given a close run for its money by the video posted to unveil ex Hammers fan favourite Arthur Masuaku.
‘King’ Arthur as he was affectionately known by Hammers fans, has struggled for game time since joining Sunderland from Besiktas.
Now he has joined Lens on loan – the club where he played as a youngster.
So what better movie to use for his return than Back to the Future.
Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, and Dr. Emmett Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, are putting the famous time-travelling DeLorean through its paces.
Then the video cuts to Masuaku stepping out of an actual DeLorean before he looks down the camera and addresses the fans.
West Ham fans will now be very interested spectators as to how Ward-Prowse and Masuaku get on at Burnley and Lens respectively.
But they will have to go some to live up to their announcements videos.
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