What happened to this fan favourite?

Katherine Alder needs your help to find a previous Hammers idol.

Have you seen this man?

Details:

Date of birth – 04/04/1973 (aged 38)

Height – 6foot

Place of birth – Gabnoa, Ivory Coast

Weight – 12 stone 8lbs

Profession – Footballer

Position – Striker

Foreverwestham.com are launching a desperate appeal to track down cult hero Samassi Abou. Nothing has been heard of the Frenchman since the 2002-03 season, where he was last spotted playing for FC Lorient in his home country.

Abou became a Hammers legend after joining in 1997 from AS Cannes. Making a whopping 22 appearances in a claret and blue shirt, Abou captured the hearts of fans, who shouted ‘ABOUUUUUUUU!’ whenever he came on. Andy Gray famously misheard this for jeering when he made his debut and said ‘I don’t know why they are booing the lad, he’s only just come on.’

Abou went on loan 4 times while at West Ham, which I’m sure was just to make other clubs and leagues aware of just what a talent the Irons had on their books. Ipswich, Walsall, Troyes and Kilmarnock all got the benefit of his services. In a total of 45 appearances for all clubs between 1997 and 2000, Abou scored six goals.

But the question is, where is he now?! The last known sightings of Abou were in 2002, leaving AC Ajaccio and then his arrival at FC Lorient later that year. He never got the kind of love again that he had received from the Upton Park faithful. There have been unfounded rumours of Samassi forging a career as a coach driver, but nothing has been confirmed. He seems to have disappeared off the face of the Earth and we want to put that right.

If you feel as passionately as we do about finding Samassi safe and well, please leave a comment with his whereabouts. You can also join the Samassi Abou appreciation group on facebook if the mood takes you!