West Ham United fans have taken to Twitter to say thank you to Cheikhou Kouyate after the midfielder completed his £9.5 million move to Crystal Palace.
The Senegal international joined the Eagles earlier this week on a four-year deal, bringing to an end his four year stint with the Hammers.
Kouyate joined West Ham in 2014 from Belgian side Anderlecht, and had since made 147 appearances and scored 15 goals in all competitions.
The 28-year-old is Palace’s third signing of the summer after the arrivals of Vicente Guaita and Max Meyer from Getafe and Schalke respectively, with the Senegalese star arriving at Selhurst Park in the wake of the departures of both Yohan Cabeye and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
“This is the right time to move because I needed a new challenge,” Kouyate told Palace TV.
“I have good memories of West Ham but I need to come here and give my best because I like the Crystal Palace project.”
Amongst Kouyate’s highlights in East London were scoring the club’s first ever goal at the London Stadium against NK Domžale in the Europa League and his strike in the 2-0 win versus Arsenal on the opening day of the 2015/16 season.
Thanks, Cheikhou!
I haven’t been his biggest fan in recent times but Kouyate will always be remembered fondly by West Ham fans for his contribution to an important part of the clubs history, his big personality and even bigger smile. Thanks for the good times Cheik and good luck for the future ⚒ pic.twitter.com/fjodTWQVnw
— Dave Walker (@DaveWalkerWHU) August 2, 2018
I would like to wish Kouyate all the best for his new club. He was brilliant when we first signed him but unfortunately lost his way towards the end. He seemed a great lad and good for team morale too. Think it’s the right time for both of us that he moved on though. ⚒
— ExWHUEmployee (@ExWHUEmployee) August 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/WestHamUtdSZN/status/1024797209596977154
Kouyate ran the midfield for us in the first few seasons. Short memories. Even played through injury for us.
— ⚒️🫧 (@prideofeastldn) August 2, 2018
Kouyate wasn't as good as he once was but I'm not delighted to see him go.
— ANTHONY HUFTON (@AnthonyHufton) August 1, 2018
Kouyate is like that mate who is fun, likeable and always smiling, but who hasn’t bought a round for close to two years and you start to drop him from the lad’s nights out. Wish him well though.
— John (@FJohnf1964) August 2, 2018
People slating Kouyate need to give their heads a wobble, geezer loved this club and gave 100% in my eyes, not the best season last year but overall his been immense for us, good luck and all the best big man
— GaZsHa⚒ (@gazsharpie) August 1, 2018
Gutted to see Cheikh Kouyaté leave. First few years, he was unreal. Not sure I’d have let him go to another Premier League team 🤔
— ⚒ Jack Himself ⚒ (@jackgambardella) August 1, 2018
Kouyate's four seasons at @WestHamUtd.
– Goals against Spurs, Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea.
– First goal at LS.
– First goal of Bilic era in the PL.
– First goal of Moyes era.
– Over 100 appearances 👏.We will miss you @PapiCheikhou.#CheikhouKouyate #WHUFC #COYI ⚒️⚒️. pic.twitter.com/nW8WbRiQ3p
— West Ham Matters (@WestHamMatters_) August 2, 2018