​Crysencio Summerville has officially broken his silence on his high-profile departure from West Ham United, delivering a masterclass in professional etiquette that completely exposes the bitter exit orchestrated by his close friend and former teammate, Mohammed Kudus.

​When West Ham originally secured Kudus in a £38 million deal from Ajax, it was an open secret that the explosive Ghanaian viewed the London Stadium primarily as a stepping stone. Believing his career trajectory was destined for Europe’s elite, Kudus famously demanded an £85 million release clause be written into his contract, rejecting interest from clubs like Chelsea and Brighton in the process.

​When the Hammers brought in Crysencio Summerville for £26 million the following summer to mirror that exact dynamic, the plan was always for the Dutchman to eventually step into Kudus’ shoes. During their time together in east London, the pair formed a remarkably tight bond. Kudus took Summerville under his wing, a relationship famously highlighted when Summerville rushed straight over to celebrate his maiden West Ham goal with Kudus, who was seated behind the dugout.

​The Contrast in Departures: Kudus’ Bridge-Burning Exit

​When the time came for Kudus to leave east London, however, the fairytale turned sour. With Europe’s absolute giants failing to match his lofty valuation, Tottenham Hotspur emerged as his only genuine suitor.

​Kudus subsequently burned his bridges with the West Ham faithful by reportedly turning up late for training in a desperate bid to force through a move to Spurs. When the transfer finally went through for a fee a staggering £30 million below his much-talked-about release clause, he became the first direct player transfer between the bitter London rivals in nearly 15 years.

​To compound the betrayal, Kudus rubbed salt in the wounds by publicly declaring that he “only wanted Spurs” and had “Tottenham in his heart,” accompanied by a cold, generic social media goodbye. The backlash was instantaneous: Hammers supporters branded him “Judus,” giving him a hostile reception when he faced them last term during a debut Premier League campaign that yielded just three goals before a severe injury cut his season short.

​Summerville’s £65M Saudi Move and Heartfelt Goodbye

​Following West Ham’s disappointing relegation, an exodus of top talent was always on the cards. While Tottenham splashed a whopping £85 million on Mateus Fernandes and actively attempted to lure Summerville to join him, the Dutchman flatly snubbed Spurs out of respect for West Ham and the club’s supporters.

​Now, Summerville has permanently cemented his legendary status among the fanbase by demonstrating how a true professional handles a departure. Following his blockbuster £65 million switch to Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al Hilal, Summerville took to Instagram to release an emotionally charged, deeply respectful farewell message alongside a highlight reel of his best moments in claret and blue.

​”Dear Irons, this is the end of my time as a West Ham player,” Summerville wrote.

​”I want to thank the fans for the unbelievable support you have shown me over the last two seasons. Through the good times and the difficult ones, you were always there.

​”I also want to thank all my teammates and everyone in the coaching and backroom staff. I couldn’t have done it without you all. Wherever life and football take me, I will always be blowing bubbles in the air.

​”One love, Cry.”

​Once a Hammer, Always a Hammer

​The contrast could not be starker. While Mohammed Kudus alienated a passionate fanbase and earned lasting animosity in north London, Crysencio Summerville leaves the London Stadium with his head held high, ensuring he will always receive a thunderous reception whenever he returns.

​For Summerville, it is a definitive case of once a Hammer, always a Hammer—leaving his friend’s controversial exit looking more regrettable by the day.