10 Greatest West Ham Players in Football History [Ranked]

Since their formation in 1895, thousands of players have proudly represented West Ham United. Originally known as Thames Ironworks, the East London club adopted its current name at the turn of the 20th century.

Throughout West Ham's 129-year history, many talented players have worn the famous claret and blue, but 10 stand out above the rest. These legends, both past and present, have left an indelible mark on the club through their iconic moments, remarkable longevity, and contributions to the team's success, including lifting trophies while wearing the badge with pride.

Ranking Factors:

• Longevity
• Loyalty
• Standout moments
• Accolades

10. Frank Lampard Jr

Midfielder

At number 10, Frank Lampard Jr. earns his place on this list. While his legendary status at Chelsea is well known, his time at West Ham—where his career truly began—should not be overlooked. Lampard made 181 appearances for the Hammers, scoring an impressive 34 goals and providing 18 assists.

Breaking into the senior team after just a year in the academy, he made his Premier League debut at 18. Under the management of his uncle, Harry Redknapp, Lampard spent six years in East London, steadily proving his immense potential. Despite the perception that he was living in his father’s shadow, he carved out his own path and laid the foundation for an illustrious career.

9. Paolo Di Canio

Striker

Paolo Di Canio became an instant fan favorite when he joined West Ham in 1999, arriving from Sheffield Wednesday for a bargain fee of £1.5 million. Over the next four years, he cemented his status as a club icon, scoring 47 Premier League goals and dazzling fans with his flair and creativity. A versatile attacker, Di Canio thrived in multiple roles, excelling as an attacking midfielder, winger, or deep-lying forward.

On March 26, 2000, he produced one of the most breathtaking goals in Premier League history. Against Wimbledon, he executed a stunning scissor-kick volley from a deep cross, positioning himself perfectly to guide the ball into the far post. The strike remains one of the league’s most iconic moments, a testament to Di Canio’s extraordinary technique and brilliance.

8. Jarrod Bowen

Winger

The only active West Ham player on this list, Jarrod Bowen, takes the eighth spot. Since joining the Irons in 2020, he has seamlessly adapted to the demands of the Premier League, becoming a key figure in the squad. His commitment to the club was further recognized when he was named captain ahead of the 2024/25 season.

Despite making just seven Premier League appearances with Hull City before his move, Bowen has gone on to score 48 goals and provide 34 assists in 185 games for West Ham. What truly cements his place among the club’s greats, however, is his unforgettable last-minute winner in the UEFA Conference League final—securing West Ham’s first major trophy since 1980 and their first European triumph in 58 years.

7. Declan Rice

Defensive midfielder

Former club captain Declan Rice earns the seventh spot on this list. Making his debut as an 18-year-old substitute, he quickly rose through the ranks, winning the Players’ Player of the Year award at just 19. By 20, he had already been handed the captain’s armband, eventually taking on the role full-time following Mark Noble’s retirement.

Rice solidified his status as a West Ham great with 245 appearances across eight seasons before departing for Arsenal in a club-record £100 million move. Primarily playing as a defensive midfielder, he became only the third captain in the club’s history—after Billy Bonds and Bobby Moore—to lead West Ham to major silverware, etching his name into Irons folklore.

6. Frank Lampard Sr

Left-back

With his son featuring at number 10, this list wouldn’t be complete without Frank Lampard Sr. A dependable left-back, Lampard joined West Ham’s youth setup at 15 before making his professional debut at 19.

Spending an incredible 18 years in claret and blue, he made 660 appearances—one of the highest in the club’s history. His consistency and longevity were key to West Ham’s success, helping the team secure two FA Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1980, defeating London rivals Fulham and Arsenal. He also played a vital role in their Second Division title-winning campaign in 1981 before finishing his career at Southend.

5. Mark Noble

Central midfielder

Mark Noble is an undeniable inclusion on this list—a lifelong fan who became a club legend, earning the nickname "Mr. West Ham." He joined the academy at 13 and remained fiercely loyal from his senior debut in 2004 at just 17 until his retirement in 2022 at 35.

Though he never won a major trophy with the club, Noble’s loyalty never wavered, even through two relegations from the Premier League. A highly reliable penalty taker, he was one of the best in his era. Retirement hasn’t kept him away from West Ham either—since September 2022, he has served as the club’s sporting director, continuing to shape its future.

4. Trevor Brooking

Midfielder

Sir Trevor Brooking is a West Ham legend for countless reasons. He dedicated 18 years to the club as a player before continuing his influence as a board member for many years. His lifelong commitment to the Hammers is immortalized in the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand, which graced both the Boleyn Ground and now the London Stadium.

A tenacious midfielder with remarkable two-footed ability, Brooking played 647 games for the club, earning a reputation for his intelligence, composure, and sportsmanship—rarely finding himself in the referee’s book. Now 76, he continues to contribute to football as a director of football development in England.

3. Geoff Hurst

Striker

Sir Geoff Hurst may be best known for his historic hat-trick in England’s 1966 World Cup final victory over West Germany, but he is equally revered by West Ham fans.

A key figure in the club’s golden era, Hurst helped the Hammers lift the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965. Initially a midfielder, he was transformed into a prolific striker under Ron Greenwood’s guidance, going on to score 248 goals in 499 appearances. His impact on the club’s history is undeniable, and as one of only two West Ham players to receive a knighthood, his legacy remains firmly cemented.

2. Billy Bonds

Defender and midfielder

Billy Bonds may fall just short of the top spot, but his impact on West Ham is nothing short of legendary. Signed from Charlton Athletic in 1967 for just £50,000, he proved to be one of the club’s greatest bargains, excelling as both a defender and midfielder.

Over an astonishing 21-season career, Bonds made a record 799 first-team appearances, winning two FA Cups and the Second Division title while also reaching the finals of the League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. After retiring in his early 40s, he remained with the club as a youth coach before managing the first team from 1990 to 1994. His remarkable longevity and dedication to West Ham are unlikely to ever be matched.

1. Bobby Moore

Defender

At number one, there could only be one choice: the legendary Bobby Moore. Not only did he captain England to World Cup glory in 1966, but he also led West Ham to triumph in the FA Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, solidifying his status as one of football’s all-time greats.

Remarkably, Moore overcame cancer at just 23 years old before going on to carve out a career that remains the gold standard for defenders. More than six decades after England’s World Cup triumph, he is still widely regarded as the greatest centre-back in the nation’s history.

Spending 16 years at West Ham, Moore played over 600 games and won the club’s Player of the Year award four times. His intelligence on the pitch, flawless tackling, and ability to read the game made him a nightmare for opposing forwards. Any West Ham fan would be proud to call him one of their own.