Diego Poyet has issued an apology to West Ham United supporters following an offensive tweet posted during his time at former club, Charlton Athletic. 

In 2012, the 19-year-old midfielder, who recently joined from the Addicks on a four-year deal, tweeted an offensive message branding West Ham "scum".

The tweet was sent before a game at Upton Park between the Hammers and Brighton and Hove Albion, then managed by his father Gus, and read: “we hate West Ham #scum”.

Reacting to calls for him to apologise, Poyet said: “For all you getting on to me about that tweet two years ago, it was banter between some of my friends and me when I went to watch a game and I was supporting my dad’s team.

“I was 16 at the time and very naive, I will learn from my mistakes. Obviously, I regret it looking at it now but there is nothing I can do about it. I apologise, I am very happy to be at the club and have loved my time here so far.”