Boss Mick McCarthy says he’s delighted that former Blue Aaron Cresswell has made an impressive start to his Premier League career with West Ham with the 24-year-old already tipped for England honours.
McCarthy also confirmed that, as reported at the time, Championship Fulham were close to signing Cresswell prior to his £3.75 million rising to £7 million summer switch to the Hammers.
The Liverpudlian has played every minutes of all 11 of West Ham's Premier League games this season and has claimed two assists as they have climbed up to fourth in the table.
"I’m so happy for Cressy because when we were selling him I rang Sam Allardyce and asked him if he was interested in him,” McCarthy revealed.
"They had been looking at him but maybe he wasn’t aware that it was imminent, that it looked like he was on his way to Fulham.
"Fulham wanted him but we knew the clubs who had been looking at him and West Ham were one.
"I just had a conversation with Sam. I knew they’d been watching him and had been in for him, we’d spoken to them.
"And of course Cressy wanted to play in the Premier League, and I thought he should. And he’s proving that that was exactly the right decision and I’m glad he is.
"He was such a great lad, he was totally low maintenance, got on with it. Low maintenance, high class, that’s what he was.
"I went to watch West Ham’s U21s play against Manchester United recently and I spoke to a couple of their staff and they all said that he was doing great. I’m really pleased.”
He believes it was a great deal for West Ham: "I think they’ve got a bargain when you consider all the money they spend on players. Cressy’s a proper lad, he doesn’t cause any aggravation. He’s great.”
Asked about Cresswell’s England prospects, he added: "It’ll be interesting, [it’ll be a] good competition between him and Tyrone, won’t it!”