Saturday’s pre-season match held a special sentiment for Nayef Aguerd. The game against Stade Rennais marked the first time since his move to West Ham United that the Moroccan defender returned to his former club, stepping back into Roazhon Park after leaving the Brittany capital for east London last summer.
Upon arriving at the ground, Aguerd’s face displayed delight as he reunited with old teammates, colleagues, and friends. However, once the first-half whistle blew, he focused entirely on the game, displaying his professionalism.
Drawing on his inside knowledge of his former side, the 27-year-old provided guidance to his fellow Hammers. Despite the 3-1 loss in their penultimate pre-season fixture, Aguerd found positives in the experience.
“It was an incredible return to Rennes,” he shared. “It was great to be back at Roazhon Park and see my old teammates. I’ve kept in touch with them, and the warm welcome from the fans here touched me.
“While playing in the colors of West Ham, I tried my best to limit Rennes’ attacking threat and also provided insights to my teammates about their strengths. However, stopping them was a challenging task. Their wingers and full-backs were constantly on the move, making it a game of positioning.”