Ben Johnson: West Ham? I've moved on, they don't have regrets either

Photo & Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone

Ben Johnson doesn't sit around regretting that his story with West Ham reached its conclusion after 17 years last summer.

The right-back joined in 2007 as a seven-year old boy before quitting for Ipswich Town on a permanent deal having won the Conference League in 2023 at London Stadium.

Despite showing early promise and being talked about as the next prodigy to come out of the famed Chadwell Heath academy he found first-team chances limited in the late days of the David Moyes reign.

Asked if he has any regrets, Johnson said: "No regrets [and] I don't think they have regrets either to be honest!

"I think it's just one of those ones where it was probably best for me to leave to develop myself as a player, as a man."

West Ham showed their full appreciation for ' one of their own' Johnson when their club entertained Ipswich Town three months ago.

He added: "As you saw when you walked up to the London Stadium there was a warm reception so definitely no [regrets]."

And he is doing the same now, welcoming new Ipswich recruit Ben Godfrey with open arms in a bid to boost their survival hopes.

Johnson was gushing about the versatile Atalanta loanee whom he faced multiple times when he was at Everton.

He said: "That's what we need in all positions, players to play in different positions. We know that the league requires different players coming at different times. It's a great addition for us to sign Ben."