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Nathan Trott breaks his silence on his West Ham United move, in an article by Roshane Thomas, that discussed it was always assumed that former West Ham striker Clyde Best, a compatriot of Trott, played a role in the shot-stopper joining the east London side but Trott belatedly wants to set the record straight.

Trott reveals, "A lot of people get this story mixed up,” says Trott, who joined League One side Cardiff City on a season-long loan in August from Danish club Copenhagen. “Clyde is a legend in Bermuda and everyone knows he played for West Ham, but he wasn’t the reason I got my opportunity there. The connection makes sense with us both being Bermudan but I went on trial there because my agent knew the academy’s goalkeeping coach (Jerome John, who left in 2021 ).

“Mark Noble (the former club captain and sporting director) was encouraging the club to sign me, which was a nice feeling. I was there for two weeks and they thought I had huge potential, so it wasn’t through Clyde. This is the first time I’ve said it in an interview. Obviously he’s a legend but the truth is the truth, and a lot of people get the story mixed up. I have to give the right people credit.”

During Trott’s eight-year spell at West Ham from 2016-2024, he had loans at AFC Wimbledon, Nancy and Vejle. In pursuit of stability and first-team football, he left in 2024 to join Copenhagen. From a young age, Trott was used to being out of his comfort zone, which prepared him for his first 12 months at West Ham. After impressing for their under-21s, former manager David Moyes handed the goalkeeper his sole first-team appearance in the FA Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers in January 2021.

“It was a new experience for me being in an environment like that, but my confidence grew and I improved a lot in my first year,” says Trott. “I didn’t get homesick so it wasn’t tough for me being away from family. I received my first England (U20) call-up after six months of being there. In the game against Doncaster, we were 4-0 up, with less than 10 minutes left and the manager said my name.

“I thought, ‘Finally, this is my chance’. Declan Rice and Michail Antonio were joking with me about being nervous before I came on, but that moment was the result of years of hard work. It was a proud moment for my family and friends. Noble was great with the young players so he also helped prepare us for that moment. He would be the first to let you know if your standards had slipped. He would have no issue with getting onto you. It was nice to have his support.”

Trott never intended to become a goalkeeper. He enjoyed playing outfield, in defence and midfield, but those plans changed during a youth tournament in Bermuda.

“I made the official change when I was 14,” Trott recalls. “I went on a tour with Bermuda and the only way to get on the trip was to be a back-up goalkeeper. Before the first game the goalkeeper (Ajai Daniels) got injured then I played against Colombia, Chile and Portugal. I played well and people started saying I should stick to being a goalkeeper. It wasn’t until that tournament when I thought if I was going to make it as a footballer, I should stick with this.

“I enjoyed playing outfield and at times I’d play everywhere. Before 14, I only went in goal for a joke. I never thought I’d become a professional goalkeeper, but I started to really enjoy it and became a big fan of David de Gea (the ex-Manchester United goalkeeper). I looked up to him and I’d watch his highlights on YouTube all the time. Then when I started playing FIFA (now known as EA Sports FC) I’d sign myself in career mode for the club I was managing. Thankfully, it’s all worked out since making the switch at 14.”

Former West Ham goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero has had a strong impact on Trott’s career. Valero, who ended his seven-year spell in July to join Liverpool, remains in touch with Trott and was sad to see the goalkeeper leave in 2024.