One would have imagined that West Ham’s No. 1 shirt was destined for Joe Hart’s back.
Left vacant following Darren Randolph’s recent move to Championship side Middlesbrough, many would have expected Hart to fill the No. 1 jersey for the 2017/18 season considering he will likely be Slaven Bilic’s first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming campaign.
But Hart, who joined on loan from Manchester City last week, has decided to go in a different direction and specifically asked for the Hammers’ No. 25 jersey.
The England international has explained how his history with that specific squad number at previous clubs inspired his decision.
“The No. 25 shirt will always be special to me as I wore it on my Premier League debut for Manchester City in 2006, when I got into the Team of the Season with Birmingham in 2010 and when we won the title at City in 2012!” Hart told West Ham’s official website.
“Having enjoyed so many fantastic moments with that number on my back, I thought why not go back to 25 and see what happens!
“I’ve asked the kit man to design me some special short-sleeved shirts which I like, too, which he has had made, so I’m really looking forward to pulling on my West Ham United jersey for the first time.”
