Chicago, Dec. 31 : US President-elect Barack Obama may sport a ubiquitous Chicago White Sox cap, but it turns out he is also a fan of West Ham United, a soccer team in the England''s Barclays Premier League.

According to the New York Daily News, Obama attended a game five years ago when visiting family in the U. K.

The team itself was quick to capitalize when Obama won the Presidency last month, inviting him to attend a game at Upton Park in the East End the next time he visits London on official business.

West Ham fans watching a recent West Ham game at Nevada Smith''s - a haven for soccer fans on 3rd Avenue near Union Square - were quick to voice their appreciation when the subject of the President-elect came up.

"It''s not often you get the leader of the free world as a supporter of your team," said Paul Shrudsole, a native of Essex. "It''s not bad having the President supporting West Ham United."

Some made the connection between Obama and West Ham''s blue collar roots and fan base - the team was founded out of Thames Ironworks in 1895 and is a natural fit with the President-elect''s history as a community organizer and his focus on the working and middle classes.

Obama''s choice of West Ham bespeaks a more genuine interest in the world''s game than that of his one-time rival, Hillary Clinton. Clinton has been linked to Premier League superpower Manchester United - widely considered the most popular franchise in the sport. (ANI)