Pablo Fornals has once again given a heartwarming message to West Ham fans following his departure.

There are very few players in world football who are more likeable than Pablo Fornals. While that is a bold statement, it is certainly true. The Spaniard always played with a smile on his face, oozed class and gave his absolute all for the West Ham badge.

He was absolutely pivotal to the new era of West Ham, from playing an important part in getting them to their first Europa League group stage, to scoring that all important last-minute winner against AZ Alkmaar to send the Hammers all the way to the Conference League final. In every sense of the word, he is a cult hero and the East London faithful have been delighted to hear that the love is reciprocated.

Since joining Real Betis in January, the midfielder has had nothing but good things to say about the club and this trend continued in a recent interview. Despite losing his place in the starting XI and, ultimately, the side growing past his abilities Fornals acknowledged that this is part of football as well as confessing how much admiration he has for the club. 

“In the end, you can never leave angry or sad from a place that has given you everything and that you have also given or left everything on your part,” Fornals explained. “But well, there came a time when the club grew a lot and decided to bring in players paying a lot for them.”

“In the end, that makes your position more competitive, and you don’t enjoy all the minutes you would like.”

“I owe West Ham a lot. They gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, to fulfil my dream. I have played more than 150 games with them, we have played European nights, magical nights, Europa League semi-finals, winning the Conference League.”

It is fair to say that Pablo Fornals will always be remembered fondly at West Ham, not just for the brilliant things he did on the pitch but the person he was off of it. It is impossible to have anything other than love for him and he is someone that every single one of the East London faithful wishes the best for over the rest of his career.