West Ham stars have landed back in England with the Europa Conference League title in tow ahead of tonight’s open-top bus parade through London.
The Hammers triumphed over Fiorentina – and ended their 43-year wait for a major trophy – after a late Jarrod Bowen strike wrapped up a 2-1 win for them in Prague.
Celebrating players might feel slightly hungover after they were pictured partying until the early hours of Thursday morning in the wake of their historic victory.
Some wore spectacles on the flight home from Prague, possibly hiding the weary eyes of a hangover, but Hammers captain Rice was all smiles as he prepared to board the plane back to England.
The European trophy was passed around the cabin as players and staff posed for pictures ahead of touching down back on home turf with the piece of silverware.
Declan Rice holds the Europa Conference League trophy as he prepares to board the plane back to England
FIrst-team players huddled around Kurt Zouma (middle with trophy) to pose for a pre-departure pic
Rice (middle) snapped a celebration picture with team-mates Lucas Paqueta (right) and Emerson Palmieri (left)
Lucas Paqueta and Emerson Palmieri posed with Rice while appearing relatively chipper despite their late-night antics in the Czech capital.
Hammers goalkeeper Areola, Maxwel Cornet, Said Benrahma, and other first-team members then huddled round a beaming Kurt Zouma who was clinching the trophy.
Players will no doubt use time on the two-hour flight to catch up on sleep after reports suggested the Hammers players and staff were out until 9:15am but Rice took to social media to show fans he was well rested, as well as showing off the Conference League trophy.
In a morning post on his Instagram page, Rice shared an image of himself in bed and kissing the Conference League trophy, with the caption: ‘Good morning’.
The England international sported a backwards cap and his Conference League winners medal as he lay in bed clutching onto the tournament’s trophy.
It was his second picture posted onto social media, in the wake of the victory, having shared a selfie of himself and the trophy on the pitch shortly after the final whistle.
And despite parting until the early hours of the morning, the West Ham stars were understandably still full of life despite only getting a few hours sleep.
Match-winner Bowen was spotted heading for the team coach holding a cup with a straw in it, while club legend Mark Noble and full back Aaron Cresswell had similar ideas.
Declan Rice shared a picture of himself waking up alongside the Europa Conference League trophy onto Instagram on Thursday
Match-winner Jarrod Bowen heads for the coach carrying a drink after a night of partying
Vladimir Coufal hides his bleary eyes as he carries the Conference League trophy onto the bus
Meanwhile manager David Moyes (left) and captain Rice (right) beamed smiles when departing
Rice claimed the first trophy of his professional career after West Ham’s 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final
Manager David Moyes waved the crowd outside while beaming from ear to ear, following by captain Rice who was also still on cloud nine.
Full back Aaron Cresswell (left) and Hammers legend Mark Noble (right) carry their drinks on to the team bus as they head back home
The central midfielder has stolen headlines on Thursday morning after being pictured during their post-match celebrations late into the night.
Rice was front and centre for all of the antics and was seen skipping through the hotel lobby once they’d arrived back after the win.
And the Hammers club captain, along with manager David Moyes, was seen out and about at 4am as they celebrated the victory in Prague.
Reports later suggested that music was playing until 9:15am on Thursday morning as the West Ham stars continued their party throughout the night.
West Ham’s chairman, David Sullivan, then made revelatory statements about Rice’s future at the club and claimed the midfielder will leave in the summer window.
Rice shared an image of himself and the trophy onto his Instagram just moments after they lifted the title
The West Ham captain was spotted strolling the streets of Prague at 4am after their final win
Sullivan’s admission came just hours after Mail Sport revealed Arsenal are aiming to swiftly conclude a £90million deal for the 24-year-old England star.
Rice’s future has been the subject of much debate in recent weeks and the West Ham midfielder has also attracted interest from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
The Hammers had not publicly commented on their prized asset until their season had come to a triumphant end after they beat Fiorentina to win the Europa Conference League.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Thursday, Sullivan said: ‘I think it has to be [his last game]. We promised him he could go. He set his heart on going.’
David Sullivan (right) revealed that Rice is likely to leave the club in the summer window
