Despite a recent wobble in the early weeks of the new season, it has largely been a hugely impressive last few years for West Ham United under manager David Moyes, with the east Londoners having secured European qualification in successive campaigns as a marker of their remarkable resurgence.

A key figure in that rise has been centre-back colossus, Craig Dawson, with the no-nonsense, old-school defender having been an incredibly consistent presence in the side following his understated, loan arrival from Watford back in the summer of 2020.

While not the glamour name that Irons supporters were likely hoping for at the time, the 32-year-old has since emerged as something of a cult hero for the London Stadium outfit since then, having seen his temporary move made permanent for just £2m last summer.

That has proven a real bargain price for the 6 foot 2 “warrior” – as dubbed by Moyes – such has been his impact in recent times, as the £42.5k-per-week titan has gone on to rack up 77 appearances in all competitions to date.

The £2.7m-rated gem notably proved integral in the club’s surge to the Europa League last four last season, with his displays having seen him included in the UEFA Team of the Season as a result, alongside teammate Declan Rice.

Such sparkling form saw the former West Bromwich Albion brute lauded as simply “irreplaceable” by pundit Noel Whelan, with the ex-Leeds United striker also suggesting that the Englishman was something of “dangerman” as a result of his threat in an attacking sense – with nine goals to his name in all competitions to date.

His importance to the side has also been illustrated in the early weeks of the new campaign having made an instant impact following his return from injury, helping the Hammers secure a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out on what was his first league start of the season.

That display – which saw him lauded by the aforementioned Rice for his “solidity, heart, and desire” – had demonstrated that Moyes and co had dodged a bullet in not letting Dawson leave in the recent window, with the central defender having been close to a move to Molineux on deadline day, before the club pulled the plug.

Although there may still be doubts over his future with his existing deal set to expire next summer, his immense service over the past two years has ensured that West Ham truly did strike gold with that astute £2m deal.