Mohammed Kudus receives gift from West Ham despite controversial Tottenham transfer
· YEN.com.gh News · Join- Mohammed Kudus has been reunited with the wooden elephant stool he famously used in his goal celebrations at West Ham
- The symbolic piece was handed back to the Ghana international after his high-profile £55m move to Tottenham
- Despite the controversial switch, the gesture from the Hammers highlighted the respect between the player and his former club
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Mohammed Kudus endured a hostile reception from West Ham supporters during Tottenham’s 3-0 victory at the London Stadium, but the Ghanaian still received a touch of respect from his former club once the final whistle blew.
The fixture had been highlighted on the calendar from the moment Kudus sealed his £54.5 million move to Spurs in the summer, becoming the first player in 14 years to switch directly between the two clubs. The last to do so was Scott Parker back in 2011.
Source: Getty Images
As expected, the 25-year-old faced relentless boos and jeers from the home crowd whenever he was on the ball, the atmosphere underlining just how bitter the rivalry remains.
Despite the hostility, Kudus kept his composure and contributed to a convincing Tottenham display.
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Ultimately, it was the Ghana international who left with the smiles, as Spurs secured a commanding win at his former ground.
In one of his awesom moments against his former club, Kudus showcased flawless control with an exceptional first touch.
The clip was later shared on X, as seen below:
And while the supporters made their feelings clear, West Ham staff showed class in extending respect to their ex-player after the game.
Mohammed Kudus handed iconic wooden stool
According to The Athletic, the hostility went beyond the boos from the stands, with even a ball boy refusing to hand Kudus the ball for a corner.
Yet, despite the tension during the match, the atmosphere shifted after full-time.
The Ghanaian forward shared a warm exchange with several West Ham non-playing staff members before heading towards the family enclosure, where he was presented with his famous wooden stool.
Kudus, clearly appreciative of the gesture, expressed his gratitude.
The custom-made elephant stool has become a symbol of his celebrations, paying homage to Ghanaian chiefs and cultural traditions.
“It’s my roots," he once said via West Ham channels. "Where I come from, the chiefs and the kings, they sit on stools where are they are from. So I thought it would be nice to share a little bit of life where I am from."
He added: "This is mine now and no one [else] can do it!"
After netting against Brighton in December 2024, Kudus grabbed a wooden stool carved with an elephant from behind the goal and sat on it alongside teammate Crysencio Summerville.
He later explained the meaning behind the celebration via Premier League's website:
“It's a special stool, a stool from Ghana,” Kudus explained. “With my celebration, I see a lot of competitors and people doing it so I thought, ‘Why not do something different?’
Source: Getty Images
Kudus' comments upon joining Tottenham may have turned him into public enemy number one for West Ham fans, but behind the scenes his exit was far more amicable.
His rapport with former teammates and staff showed that he left on good terms, despite the animosity from the stands.
Ahead of the derby, Kudus even admitted he was looking forward to catching up with his old colleagues, regardless of the hostile welcome awaiting him at the London Stadium.
On the pitch, the Ghanaian forward kept his composure, unfazed by the jeers, and was spared any rough treatment from his former teammates.
Kudus' main weaknesses
Earlier, YEN.com.gh analysed two key flaws in Mohammed Kudus’s game despite his bright start in his first four outings for Tottenham Hotspur.
The ex-Ajax star has contributed two assists in his opening four matches, but he still has a long way to go to cement his place as a Spurs standout.
Source: YEN.com.gh