Manor Solomon: "I want to bring West Ham back to the Premier League and succeed like Benayoun and Berkovic"
After signing with the "Hammers", as first revealed by ynet, the Israeli midfielder spoke about his goals at the next stop in his career: "It is an ambitious, very big club with amazing fans. I wanted to be a part of it."
Manor Solomon has begun the new chapter of his career at West Ham with clear goals: to bring the club back to the Premier League as early as the upcoming season, and subsequently to compete with it at the top of English football and reach European competitions. The Israeli winger, who signed a three-year contract with an option for an additional season, as first published by ynet, gave an interview to the club's official website and addressed the excitement of the move, his professional aspirations, and his desire to become a significant figure in the team.
"I am very happy to be here, happy to be a 'Hammer', and I can't wait to get started," Solomon said. "In the first year, everyone knows what our goal is. The goal is to go back up to the Premier League, and later, of course, to compete for a ticket to Europe. I think West Ham is a huge club in England and deserves to be in the top half of the Premier League."
Solomon, who has already played in England for Tottenham, Fulham, and Leeds, said that his familiarity with West Ham and the English fans was significant in his decision to join the club. "I have been in England for four years now, so I know West Ham better. It is a big club with great fans, very passionate and strong, and that is why I wanted to come here," he said. "It is an ambitious, very big club with amazing fans, and I wanted to be a part of it."
The Israeli also addressed West Ham's European history and the Conference League win in 2023: "I know the club has a rich history both in the Premier League and in Europe. It is a club that won a European title just three years ago, and I think that is where the club should be. I am here to help it get to where it needs to be."
When asked about the Israelis who played before him at the club, Yossi Benayoun and Eyal Berkovic, Solomon did not hide his appreciation for the two: "I know Yossi really well, he is also my friend, and of course Eyal too. I know they were very successful here at West Ham, and they are perhaps the best players Israeli football has ever had. I want to be at least as successful as them or also succeed here at West Ham."
Solomon said that his conversations with manager Nuno Espirito Santo and recruitment director Nils Koppen convinced him to choose West Ham, even though he had other options: "I had a few options, but from the first moment, after the conversations with the manager and with Nils, this is where I wanted to be. They showed me the project and what they want to build. I really liked all the ideas they presented to me. I want to be here for a long time and make the fans very happy."
The 27-year-old Israeli, who already won the Championship title with Leeds two years ago, believes that the experience he gained throughout his career will be able to help him in the mission: "I love pressure and I love challenges. I am only 27, but I feel like I have been through a lot. I played in the Premier League, in Spain, in Italy, and in the Champions League, so I have a lot of experience. I feel like I am just reaching my peak and that I have many more good years ahead of me. I want to be a better player, to be consistent, and to show myself. I am very happy to be here and hope to do it in a West Ham shirt."
Solomon also addressed his successful season at Leeds, after scoring 10 goals and providing 12 assists and helping the team win the Championship title: "I had a very difficult year at Tottenham before that. I struggled with injuries, so I decided to move to Leeds. I enjoyed every moment in the Championship. In the end, it ended in the best way, and I hope that will happen here at West Ham too."
And what will West Ham fans get from the Israeli? Solomon knows exactly what he wants to bring to the pitch: "I am a winger. I try to be creative, to go one-on-one, and to provide as many goals and assists as possible. I will also help in the defensive aspect, because today it is very important even for attacking players. I will try to give my all, to bring my talent and abilities, and to be a good person off the pitch as well."
In conclusion, Solomon clarified that he is arriving in full fitness and ready for the start of the season: "I am in excellent shape and ready to get going. I had a very good preparation with Tottenham and I was involved in all the games, so I feel good and ready." To his new fans, he delivered a short and clear message: "I am very, very happy to be here. I am already waiting to see everyone at the stadium. I will try to give my all and make them happy."
