Mido chose West Ham United for redemption, despite £45k a week offer from mystery Premier League club

Former Spurs striker praises 'good guy keano'

6 Mar 2010 23:54:00

By Will Ashwell

More On :  West Ham, Mido
Mido, Man united Vs West ham (Getty images)
Egyptian striker Mido is anxious to prove himself in the Premier League and hopes to do so with West Ham United.

The combative and controversial striker has endured a tumultuous past with Middlesbrough and Wigan Athletic, but insists those days are behind him.
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The striker earns a fraction of what his fellow teammates earn, as he is currently on £1,000 a week.

Despite his small wage packet, the Egyptian maintains it is not about the money and more about doing his best for West Ham.

"I didn't want it to come out about the money,' the 27-year-old told the Daily Mail.

"I didn't want people to think I was showing off about it but it's out. I will sacrifice the money for the chance to prove I am a quality player who can help West Ham stay in the Premier League.

"If I do that and we can reach an agreement with Middlesbrough, I'm sure we will sit down and talk about a proper contract. I came here for the football.

"I had an offer of £45,000 a week from another Premier League club on the day I signed but I wanted to be at West Ham, not somewhere else."

Still a Middlesbrough player, Mido has another year to run with the club and will discuss his future after his spell is up with the Hammers.

"I met Gianfranco Zola before I signed and he said, 'We have four strikers and you'll be No 5'.

"I liked that. I love challenges and thought it would be good for me. The time is short but I'll do my best to make it longer. I hope to stay."

Mido has moved no less than 10 times in his career and the striker has mixed feelings on the subject.

"Some of the moves I've had were natural development," said Mido.

"When you're at Gent and you get an opportunity to go to Ajax, you go. When you're at Marseille and you can go to Roma, you go.

"But it makes you look like you've changed clubs because there have been troubles. That's not true. I've had troubles some places but not every place. It just works that way for some players.

"Look at Robbie Keane. He's a top man, a great guy, and everywhere he's been they love him but look how many clubs he's had. Keano's a guy like me, he's not going to just sit there and not play. So he says, "I'm going to move again.'"

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