JOSE Fonte stated that his “conscience is very clear” after an emotional return to Saints with new club West Ham.

Fonte rejected a pay rise and a contract extension at St Mary’s, eventually asking to leave to pursue a move away after seven years on the south coast.

The 33-year-old joined West Ham for £8m last month, and returned with the Hammers in Saturday's 3-1 defeat for Saints.

There were elements of the home crowd that booed Fonte.

But the former captain revealed it didn't faze him, while admitting it was emotional to be back.

“It is was it is,” he said, referring to the reaction of the Saints fans. “I always gave my best for this club.

"I always gave my sweat, blood and tears so my conscience is very clear.

“It was a strange experience coming back to Southampton today,” he added.

“It was emotional, difficult, but in the end I can say a big thank you to everyone – to the West Ham supporters and my teammates for helping me get through this.

“It is difficult – I’m only human – but I think I managed to block everything [out] and stay focused on the game. The most important thing was achieved, which is the three points and a great performance.

“I had eight seasons at Southampton, but I need to look forward and today was always going to be tricky, but in the end, like I said with the help of my teammates and the West Ham supporters, who were fantastic, I can look forward to the next one.

“Like I said, the past has gone. It was great, but now I look forward to the new challenge I have ahead of me.

“The West Ham supporters gave me a great sense of calmness. Thank you to them and thank you to my teammates for getting me through.”