Soccerlens.com · Jul 4, 2018
Jermain Defoe admits that he did not deal with West Ham exit properly
Veteran Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe has admitted that he regrets the way in which he left former club West Ham.
The 35-year-old started his career with the Hammers and played there alongside the likes of Michael Carrick, Glen Johnson and Joe Cole, all of whom went on to become household names in the Premier League.
Less than 24 hours after the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League during the 2002-03 season, Defoe handed in a transfer request.
He was widely criticized for the decision. At the time however, he was one of the most highly rated young players in English football and felt that he needed to make a move away from Upton Park for the sake of his career.