Some West Ham fans have revealed that they’re gutted on social media after Hull City confirmed the capture of defender Reece Burke from the Hammers.
The 21-year-old has left West Ham to join the Tigers on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, as announced on the Championship club’s official Twitter account on Tuesday.
Hull City are delighted to confirm the signing of @WestHamUtd defender @ReeceBurke for an undisclosed fee#hcafc #TheTigers pic.twitter.com/wOSOS05tVi
— Hull City (@HullCity) July 10, 2018
The central defender, who came through the academy system at West Ham, has had loan spells with Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Bradford City in recent years.
Burke made 15 senior appearances for the Hammers in his time at the club, scoring one goal (TransferMarkt).
One West Ham fan said that he understood why he made a move and wished him good fortune in his career.
This is Futbol have rounded up the best tweets from West Ham supporters reacting to the sale of Burke:
https://twitter.com/FumingHammer3/status/1016654254528958464
All the best Reece, gutted to see you leave but understand your reasons, was at the FA Cup game when you scored what turned out to be your last ever goal for the Hammers! Good luck at Hull City!
— ??Stephen???????Smith? (@StephenJESmith) July 10, 2018
Thanks for everything Reece. Good luck. Will miss you? ??
— East London Hammers (@EastHammers) July 10, 2018
Thanks for everything ???
— Jack McHattie (@jack_mchattie) July 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/jasoninge/status/1016666860400599041
Good luck Reece hope it takes off for you always be a hammer to me ??
— Lez Redwood (@lezred) July 10, 2018
Sad to see you go but good luck
— Julie Trudgill (@julie_trudgill) July 10, 2018
OPINION
It’s always sad to see a talented academy player leave the club where he was developed, especially such a well-liked player like Burke. However, the cruel reality is that with the ambition the club has and the signings that will come in, Burke is just not going to be good enough to secure a place in the West Ham first-team squad next season. He will be way behind in the pecking order and it’s best for his career if he leaves to get first-team football, which he has. It’s a hard decision, but a brave one, and vital one for his development.