Jesse Lingard says his decision to join West Ham on loan was influenced by advice from England boss Gareth Southgate.
The midfielder made the move to the Hammers in search of regular game time after failing to make a Premier League appearance for Manchester United this season.
Lingard has five goals and two assists in seven games for David Moyes' side and his impressive form earned him a recall to the England squad for the first time in two years.
Speaking ahead of England's World Cup qualifier with San Marino, Lingard revealed he had kept in touch with Southgate and sought advice from him when deciding which club to join in January.
'He's shown a lot of support and belief in me, he gave me my England debut, which I'm proud of,' Lingard told talkSPORT.
'I still kept in contact with him even though I wasn't playing, just to get his advice on what I should do.
'It was just about the right move, whether it was going out to Europe or staying in the Premier League.
'He said, 'If I was you, I would stay in the Premier League'. After that, it was about finding a Premier League side and West Ham fitted in perfectly.'
The 28-year-old was a key member of Southgate's 2018 World Cup squad but his last England cap came in the UEFA Nations League third-place play-off with Switzerland in 2019.
The midfielder, who has had a difficult time off the pitch with his mother suffering from depression, added that his return to the international team had been long and 'emotional' road.
'I've had to work hard and graft, and I still believe in myself to play at the highest level,' he said. 'If you work hard, you get the rewards in the end.'