‘They Called Me Jimmy!’ – Summerville Returns as Leeds Face West Ham

When Leeds United play against West Ham United on Friday night under the lights, they will come up against former player Crysencio Summerville.

Ahead of the game, West Ham’s official website did a deep-dive on the young forward, who earlier this season, returned to action following a long injury lay-off that saw him restricted to just 19 Premier league appearances last season. Despite the managerial changes for the Hammers, Summerville has cemented his place on the left side for the struggling side.

Summerville Returns To Elland Road In Good Spirits

Summerville enjoyed his time in West Yorkshire before joining West Ham in the summer of 2024. Had Leeds been promoted two seasons ago, the likelihood of him staying was higher but it was not meant to be. There is much admiration for the winger amongst the Leeds fanbase, who are grateful for his four years as an outstanding player at Elland Road.

There were a few references to Leeds United in the piece, as the club were integral to him becoming a big name in England. Speaking on his breakthrough in football, Summerville said:

“I started with my local team, RVVV Noorderkwartier, when I was about four. My Dad was a coach there, and my brother played for the seniors.

“I’d only been there for a year or so when my brother and I were messing about with the first team, doing nutmegs and different skills, and all of a sudden someone who had been watching approached my brother and told him they wanted to invite me to train with Feyenoord. At first, none of us believed him and we asked him to show us his papers, but that was it.

I started training with Feyenoord when I was about five or six, and after playing a proper match I was selected, and then that’s where I stayed until I left for Leeds when I was 18.”

Being Dubbed ‘Jimmy’ By Leeds Fans

Summerville has represented his country Netherlands at every level from U16 to U21, but has yet to earn a senior cap for Les Oranje. Summerville shared a joke regarding fellow countryman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The legendary striker had a two year spell at Leeds from 1997 to 1999 after being signed by manager George Graham at the time. It was his first spell in England before he later returned to represent Chelsea and Middlesborough in his heyday.

Summerville said: “Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is someone else I admire. When I was at Leeds he reached out to me and gave me some feedback, and since then we’ve connected on social media as well.

The Leeds fans called me ‘Jimmy’ at first, which I was confused about until I realised it was after him!”

The Whites take on West Ham United in a must-win fixture on Friday night at Elland Road, with manager Daniel Farke providing some major injury news in the build up to the game.

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