West Ham United have announced that popular forward Michail Antonio will wear the club’s number nine jersey this season and beyond and shop down from the number 30 jersey he wore during his first six years in east London following a transfer from Nottingham Forest in 2015. .
Antonio joined the Hammers as an edge and has even played right back sometimes. But he also played forward sometimes early and has spent most of the last two seasons as a central striker.
Antonio takes over jersey number nine from Saïd Benrahma, who fought to get the desired effect in his first season at the club and will now have number 22 instead.
“People have said I’ll take No9 in recent seasons, especially after the restart (2020) when I scored many goals,” Antonio told WHUFC.com.
“It was available last summer before Saïd joined, but I had been No30 since I joined and it has done me good because I’m still here and scoring goals, so I stuck to last season.
“The No9 jersey is a massive jersey and has been used by some great players in West Ham United’s history. I’ve played all over the pitch, even on the right back, but I think I can be sure I’m a midfielder now, so it made sense to take No9 now and I can not wait to wear it!
For Benrahma, 22 is the shirt number that his late father, Mohamed, always wanted him to wear.
Said Benrahma takes number 22 in tribute to his deceased father / Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
“This is my father’s number, the number he wanted me to have, but I’ve never had it before in my career, I want to honor my father and now I can do it every time I play by wearing the number he has. always wanted me to take, the winger explained.
For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!
