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James Ward-Prowse will NOT wear the No 16 shirt made famous by Mark Noble at West Ham - with the former Southampton star instead emulating fellow set piece virtuoso David Beckham's in donning the No 7 at his new club

James Ward-Prowse decided against taking Mark Noble's No 16 shirt. Nobody has been brave enough to take on Mr West Ham's old number since his retirement and it was on offer to Mr Southampton, given he wore it previously.

Instead Ward-Prowse opted for the No 7 shirt, a number synonymous in the Premier League with David Beckham. Beckham is relevant because now that Ward-Prowse has signed for West Ham, his free-kick record is there for the taking.

The 28-year-old is one away from equalling Beckham’s tally of 18 for Manchester United in the Premier League.