Kouyate leaves West Ham United for South London

It’s official, Cheikhou Kouyate has left West Ham United for South London rival Crystal Palace.

The Senegal midfielder joins the Eagles on a four year contract after four years in claret and blue. Kouyate joined West Ham in 2014 from Anderlecht and was a fixture in the midfield.

He told the Crystal Palace official site “This is the right time to move because I needed a new challenge. I have good memories of West Ham but I need to come here and give my best because I like the Crystal Palace project.

”I spoke to the manager and I know he’ll be a good manager. I also spoke to Pape Souare yesterday and he told me I had to come and now I’m here and I’m very happy.”

He leaves West Ham after making 147 appearances scoring 15 goals. The club paid tribute to Cheik with a great video showing his bubbly personality and knack for scoring clutch goals.

Kouyate drew the ire of many Hammers fans the past two years after not playing quiet up to the standard he set in 14-15 and 15-16. Personally I felt a lot of the criticism was unfair of a player that did nothing but pour his heart of for this team. The disaster of Slaven Bilic’s second and third season did no favors for the hard charging midfielder.

He looked better under David Moyes but after signing Jack Wilshere and the move of Declan Rice to holding midfielder he became surplus to requirements for Manuel Pellegrini.

Thanks for everything Cheik, you’re always welcome back in East London.