Thilo Kehrer has lifted the lid on the number one reason he was desperate to leave West Ham after sealing a move to Monaco.
German defender Thilo Kehrer has officially completed a loan move to Monaco with an option to buy.
Monaco will pay the Hammers a £430k loan fee and the deal should become permanent in the summer as it is built around ‘easily achievable add-ons’.
With West Ham needing to move fringe players on in order to make signings in the January transfer window, Kehrer was widely touted to be one of the players to depart.
He established himself as an important utility player for West Ham on their way to Europa Conference League glory last season.
Kehrer reveals reason he was desperate to leave
But Kehrer played just 19 minutes of Premier League football for West Ham this season.
In fact he has been completely maginalised by David Moyes, making just four starts in all competitions.
The utility man has been speaking for the first time since his Hammers departure.
And Kehrer has lifted the lid on the number one reason he was desperate to leave West Ham.
Because his situation at the London Stadium has cost him his place in the German national team setup.
And he wants to win it back in time for a home Euros in the summer.
Star desperate to win back German place
“Several options were available to me, I spoke to several clubs but I made the decision to come to Monaco because in my eyes, and given my situation, I needed to have playing time in a competitive team with potential,” Kehrer told Monaco’s official website.
“The team will be able to benefit from my experience and my qualities in defence and on the pitch, while I will be able to benefit from the dynamism of the club, the staff and the management which has a lot of ambition. Thanks to all that, it matched straight away…
“The Euros are a personal goal that I have but I am not going to achieve it just by thinking. This will have to come through training and work during matches, I am focused on that. If I am able to perform well, I am convinced that I will return to the national team.
“Lately, it’s true that I haven’t been called up anymore, so that was the first reason to change clubs in order to find playing time and have a playing rhythm, in order to have a chance to play in the Euros at home.”
Kehrer will be fondly remembered by West Ham fans for his part in the European success and for leading the celebrations in the subsequent parade.
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