Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus branded ‘Judas’ as West Ham fan group warns Spurs star of venomous reception

Mohammed Kudus has been warned to brace himself for a stormy return to east London, with West Ham United’s biggest supporters’ group promising the Ghanaian forward a hostile reception when Tottenham visit the London Stadium on Saturday.

Kudus left the Hammers for Spurs in a £55 million move this summer – a switch that has enraged large sections of the West Ham fanbase.

The 24-year-old Ghana international, who dazzled at times during his two-season stint in claret and blue, may have underestimated the bitterness that follows players seen to have crossed to their rivals.

Flags showing “Judas” on a snake’s body have already been displayed by angry fans, underlining the mood ahead of the Premier League clash.

Andy Payne, joint secretary of Hammers United – the independent supporters’ group with almost 20,000 members – summed up the mood: “Leaving West Ham to join Tottenham is second only to signing for Millwall.

“I expect Kudus to receive a sub-optimal welcome back. Or in other words, he will get a lot of s**t. West Ham has a very tight-knit fanbase. Loyalty is a big thing. It’s in the DNA.”

West Ham supporters have long memories and even club heroes are not immune.

Declan Rice, who captained the side to the 2023 UEFA Conference League title, was booed on his return with Arsenal after a record move.

Paul Ince endured a similar backlash over his controversial 1989 switch to Manchester United after a photo leak.

Security at the London Stadium is being tightened but few expect the atmosphere to soften. As Payne put it, if using Kudus as a “lightning rod” helps West Ham beat Spurs on Saturday, “so be it.”