Angelo Ogbonna, affectionately known by Hammers fans as ‘Uncle Ange’ is set to leave West Ham when his contract expires at the end of the month. The 36 year old joined West Ham in the summer of 2015 and has gone on to make 249 appearances for the club.

Having joined the club in West Ham’s last season at Upton Park, coming off the back of winning back to back titles, a Coppa Italia and reaching the Champions League final with Juventus, it’s fair to say the Italian international probably could not have imagined how his relationship and love for the club would grow over a nine year spell which included plenty of highs and lows.

On his West Ham debut, Ogbonna would score an own goal in a Europa League qualifier against Astra Giurgiu. Thankfully, his Premier League debut would prove to be more memorable as the Italian was part of the West Ham side that won their opening game of the 15/16 season 2-0 against Arsenal away at the Emirates.

‘Uncle Ange’ has earned true cult hero status amongst the West Ham fan base. This comes from him consistently putting his body on the line for his teammates, his leadership qualities, his consistent performances over a number of years and his very likeable personality.

Ogbonna has many memorable moments in claret and blue, these include: his winning goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup in his first season at the club, his winner against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup in 2017, and wearing the captain’s arm band for the first time in 2019 in the Premier League in a draw against Brighton, to name but a few.

In recent years the 36 year old has represented West Ham on the European stage where he would come off the bench in the Hammers historic Conference League final against Fiorentina. Even in the season just gone, his ninth at the club and West Ham’s third consecutive year of European football, Ogbonna would captain West Ham twice in the Europa League group stages.

Having made just shy of 250 appearances for the club, it is fair to say West Ham will always hold a special place in Ogbonna and his family’s heart. Both his family and his two children are now fully fledged West Ham supporters.

From his quotes in interviews it is clear to see what his time in East London means to Ogbonna, who said in an interview previously: “I can never really put in to words what West Ham means to me. This is the club where I grew up and became a man, where I’ve seen my children growing up. That is why, whenever I talk about this club, I feel so emotional.”

Everyone at The West Ham Way would like to thank Angelo Ogbonna for his contributions and stellar service to West Ham over his near decade at the club and we wish him the very best in the next chapter of his career.