As confirmed by the club in an official announcement, West Ham United have sold young forward Oladapo Afolayan to Bolton Wanderers following his loan spell there as a consistent regular - and many Irons supporters are livid after this development.

The 23-year-old was shipped out to the University of Bolton Stadium on loan for the second half of 2020/21, where he managed to turn heads under manager Ian Evatt.

Helping Bolton to achieve promotion from League Two, the Trotters were seemingly impressed enough to make his temporary spell permanent, with Afolayan now cutting his ties with West Ham.

Making just one senior appearance for the Hammers back in January, Afolayan bagged his debut goal in that game as West Ham thumped Doncaster Rovers 4-0 in the FA Cup fourth round (whufc.com).

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The striker also impressed for West Ham's under-23s, scoring nine goals and setting up five others in 32 Premier League 2 outings (Transfermarkt).

Afolayan's potential appeared to excite many Irons supporters, who are now livid with the decision to sell him so soon - check out some of their verdicts on the announcement below.

West Ham fans horrified by Afolayan sale

"I actually find it crazy how these young talents don’t even get a look in with the first team.

We have now lost another kid who could have been a superstar"

Credit: @lozza3man

"Pain"

Credit: @WHUalfiee_

"Crazy decision"

Credit: @tonyclarke1

"Another exceptionally good young player we have lost. Going into Europe we need this talent. Why buy players who don't fit in when we already have the quality here."

Credit: @claretandblu1

"Why can we never keep hold of our promising youngsters"

Credit: @littlelegsessex

"Wasted talent"

Credit: @cayz03

"Shame, I thought he could have been given more of a chance in the first team at some point, makes you laugh squad is paper thin and we are always happy to let players go"

Credit: @JackPar78026231

In other news: ExWHUemployee lifts lid on enticing GSB transfer plan for West Ham, find out more here.