West Ham supporters still love Fornals

Pablo Fornals may be a Real Betis player now, but for some supporters he will always be a Hammer.

Fornals spent four-and-a-half years at West Ham United before joining the La Liga side for £6.8m in February.

He was part of the squad that qualified for European football three years in a row and he came on as a substitute in the famous Conference League final triumph over Fiorentina in Prague.

It seems he made quite an impact during his time at the club.

"I'm in San Diego and the only person who has stopped me here was a West Ham fan," he told BBC Sport. "For me, that is unreal.

"Every single post I put on my Instagram, there are more responses from West Ham fans than any others.

"I know I was in a club with great staff and players, but to still be remembered by all of the fans is such a great thing for me."

While that night in Prague will go down in West Ham folklore, Fornals cites the Europa League extra-time comeback win over Sevilla, the three-goal hammering of Lyon in France in the following round, and the Conference League semi-final triumph against AZ Alkmaar - when he scored the winning goal - as his favourite moments for the club.

It is clear the affection goes both ways. But, in the end, he just wanted to play football more often.

"I had been on both sides with David Moyes, when you are one of the untouchables and when you are not one of the 11 starters," he said. "I was 27 years old and feeling good, so I felt I could find minutes in another place."