West Ham’s Michail Antonio shares what he texted Jesse Lingard after he signed for Nottingham Forest

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West Ham United striker Michail Antonio has now shared what texted Jesse Lingard after he signed for Nottingham Forest this summer.

Antonio appeared on the Footballer’s Podcast alongside and said he sent a message to Lingard after he completed a move to Forest.

Of course, West Ham were one of teams that were interested in Lingard and a report suggested he even turned down a bigger contract to join Steve Cooper’s side.

But there seems to be no hard feelings between the former teammates as Antonio wished Lingard well after he joined the striker’s former club this summer.

What Antonio texted Lingard

Speaking on the Footballer’s Podcast, Antonio was asked what he sent to Lingard on social media after he apparently turned down West Ham.

He said: “I said, great team, great club. I enjoyed every minute I played there. I said you’ve got big shoes to fill if you’re playing out wide-left, because that was my position.”

Antonio spent a season at the City Ground during the 2014-15 season but admitted he thought a move back to East London would have been better for Lingard’s career.

He added: “It was just more like, thanks geez, that was basically it. [He said] thank you, it seems like a club that I’m going to enjoy myself at, and hopefully we can do well this year.

“I said I’ll see you on the pitch! But that was it. That’s all I could say really.

“I feel West Ham are better suited to push on and progress his career, you know, European football. But he probably enjoys the challenge.”

Lingard spent half of the 2020-21 campaign on loan at West Ham and was excellent alongside Antonio as the club mounted a challenge for a top four place.

The Hammers eventually fell short but Lingard arguably played the best football of his career so far in East London.

Although Antonio is clearly disappointed that the 29-year-old has opted not to rejoin him in London, he clearly wishes Lingard all the best at his own former club.