Evan Ferguson admits familiar faces were key to mid-season move

"If you know people there, it'll make it that bit easier."

The 20-year-old Meath man has made just two Premier League starts this season for Brighton, scoring once, while the Hammers are languishing in 15th place in the league, having finished ninth last year.

Both the club and the Seagulls loanee will want to hit the ground running, with the transfer - which was confirmed yesterday - coming so late in the season.

In his first interview with the Londoners, the Irish international referenced his familiarity with some key faces in the backroom team as a factor in the move.

Ferguson's time for Brighton under new Hammers boss Graham Potter is well-known, but fellow coaches Bruno and Billy Reid also worked with Potter and Ferguson at Brighton.

Potter took both men to Chelsea, before bringing them to West Ham.

Ferguson said: “It feels good. It's a very good feeling. Coming here and looking around the stadium, it just shows you a glimpse of [how big the Club is].

“The opportunity to come here was definitely high up on the list for me, and obviously, I knew the Head Coach [Graham Potter], so I knew it would be good to be working under him again.

“If you come in somewhere in January, you want to settle in quickly, and if you know people there, it'll make it that bit easier.

“Bruno is a good guy. He loves working one-to-one, so when you're working with him, he's all about the little details and if you're doing it right or not. Billy [Reid] is a good lad as well, and he brings it all together, so it'll be good to see everyone again.

“I'd say I'm more of like an out-and-out number nine and one who wants to score goals. I’m here to do my best for the Club and see where we can go. I think it's one of the factors [behind his move] because coming here, you know you're going to be playing with players that can give you assists and have that quality.”

“I just want to get back out there, be back playing football, and be back doing what I do best. I played at the weekend there [for Brighton], and I'm back in some good shape.

“I just want to come in and do my best for the team, and hopefully we can excite the fans and see what the future holds.”