Jesse Lingard has explained why he chose to join Nottingham Forest amid interest from West Ham United, saying it would 'benefit' him to move to the newly promoted side.
Lingard spent the second-half of the 2020/21 season on loan at the London Stadium from Manchester United and excelled during his short-term stay. Scoring nine goals and providing five assists in 16 league games, the England international was an instant hit with the Hammers fans.
Instead of returning for the start of the 2021/22 season, Lingard stayed at Old Trafford but struggled for game time and left at the end of the season on a free transfer.
READ MORE: Morocco boss explains reason Nayef Aguerd missed France semi-final after being named in line-up
David Moyes' side were keen to sign the midfielder on a free transfer but in a surprise twist, the 30-year-old opted to put pen to paper with The Tricky Trees. However, he has struggled at times, as he has failed to find the back of the net or provide an assist in 13 league appearances for his new club.
Explaining his decision to sign with Steve Cooper's men, Lingard said the owners showed him lots of 'love' and made him feel wanted after spending large parts of last season on the bench for United.
“I wanted to play regular football. It is hard sitting on the bench. It was my time to move on. I knew it would benefit me, if I moved to Nottingham," Lingard told The Athletic.
“I had lots of conversations with the owners; with the Marinakis family. They showed a lot of love towards me. You have to go into a team where you feel wanted. I felt that more from them than from anyone else.”
READ NEXT
- Dean Ashton tells Lionel Scaloni what he should have done in West Ham’s 2006 FA Cup final loss
- Sao Paulo defender Luizao breaks silence as West Ham January transfer edges closer
- Glen Johnson makes Declan Rice transfer prediction amid Manchester United and Chelsea links
- Ex-Arsenal star makes bold Declan Rice England captain claim after Tottenham's Harry Kane miss
- Sky Sports journalist makes West Ham fan prediction amid Nikola Vlasic's Premier League future
