“I had a pact” – Player ‘very happy’ to have left West Ham, new club were his ‘first option’

When Nikola Vlasic was sent to Torino on loan from West Ham United, it really felt like his time in London was over.

He never found a space under David Moyes, and immediately started to shine in Italy, which led to the two clubs eventually agreeing on a permanent transfer after months of negotiations.

Following his exit from West Ham, the player has finally been presented to the press on Thursday, which TuttoMercatoWeb covered.

Asked about his time at the Hammers, the player made it clear he was a bit rusty with his Italian, and conducted the conference in English.

He said: “I’m happy, I thank the president and the club. Toro were my first option in mind, I’m really happy and I hope to have a great season. London is London but Turin is the best city. There is better weather and you can walk everywhere. I live in the centre, it is the ideal place for me and my family because it’s similar to Split.

“There were teams interested in me, but I only had one option in mind. I had a pact with Toro. It was a very simple choice.”

Davide Vagnati, the club’s director of football was also present, and explained that after West Ham sold Declan Rice, they became a bit tougher with their demands since they had ‘financial serenity’.

However, he revealed that it was Vlasic’s desire to return to Torino that got the deal over the line, with that playing an ‘important’ part in the talks.