And the Upton Park youth product, who supported the London club from the terraces as a boy, says he will be doing everything in his power to send the Hammers back to the capital with another defeat on their hands.

Ferdinand is aware that his old club is struggling – with just two points from their last seven Premier League matches – and they have been on a worse run than Sunderland of late.

But, while he wishes all the best to the boys he left behind at the Boleyn Ground, the Black Cats' centre-back says there will be no mixed loyalties this Sunday (4pm kick-off).

"I spent years and years at West Ham and the club will always be special to me," he told the Echo.

"I used to stand on the terraces as a young lad and watch Rio playing for West Ham, so I go back a long way with the club.

"But you move on in life and I'm a Sunderland player now and couldn't be more committed to the club.

"I'm looking forward to the game on Sunday and afterwards I wish the West Ham lads all the best, but no-one should be in any doubt that I'm a Sunderland player now and all I'll be caring about is Sunderland getting the three points."

It was something of a culture shock, Ferdinand swapping the bright lights of London for life in the North East.

But he has bought into the passion of Sunderland.

And his post-match reactions, following the victories over Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light and Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, when he let his emotions pour out at the final whistle, emphasised his empathy with Black Cats' supporters.

He said: "I love it up here and I'm in the process of getting myself a permanent place in the area.

"I love the backing you get from the fans – the way they were in the recent derby game and the way they travel in such numbers for games.

"They love their football up here and I can totally relate to that.

"Their football matters to them and I think that's great. When you see them celebrating the way they do at the final whistle after a win, it's great.

"Hopefully we'll see that again this weekend, because we know what a big three points for us it will be if we can beat West Ham on Sunday."