West Ham defender James Tomkins lauds Victor Moses's decision to leave Chelsea for first team football

West Ham United defender James Tomkins has hailed Victor Moses's decision to leave Chelsea and join the Hammers on loan for greater first team football opportunities.

Moses, 24, completed his move to Upton Park on transfer deadline day after signing a new four-year deal with his parent club. After an impressive spell at Stoke City last season, Mark Hughes attempted to bring the winger back to the Britannia Stadium, only for Jose Mourinho to knock back their bid and praise the player for this impressive "evolution" last season.

But following the arrival of Pedro Rodriguez from Barcelona, Moses's first team hopes in west London slimmed significantly, and instead pushed for another loan. Having played alongside the winger at England youth level, Tomkins is excited over what his new teammate will bring to West Ham's attack, praising his commitment to seek out more first team chances despite his future at Stamford Bridge being assured.

"I know Victor Moses fairly well from our time playing together for England," Tomkins told West Ham's official website. "He was brilliant for Stoke last season and is a nightmare to mark. The lads have already seen that in training. He can be a match winner on his day and I will try to help him settle in as I know him well.

"He is a similar age to me and he wants to play games. He is playing for a massive club like Chelsea and they have offered him a new deal, which shows what they think of him. But for him to come here and play first-team football is something he is seeking to do."

Moses was one of 33 players to leave Stamford Bridge on loan this summer. While he played a role in the club's preseason campaign, Moses has remained a peripheral figure for much of his career in west London, having made just 23 appearances since joining the club in 2012.