‘I absolutely love this club’: West Ham captain Declan Rice revels in Europa Conference League glory… and insists he’s NOT definitely leaving despite strong interest from Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester United
Jarrod Bowen wrote his name into West Ham folklore on Wednesday night as his 90th-minute winner sealed European glory, with manager David Moyes declaring this his greatest-ever achievement.
Moyes jumped for joy after Bowen raced clear of the Fiorentina defence to win the Europa Conference League – West Ham’s first trophy since 1980 – and they will celebrate with an open-top bus parade through the streets of East London on Thursday night.
Captain Declan Rice struggled to contain his emotions as he said afterwards: ‘It means everything. I’m still in shock. I absolutely love this club. They’ve taken me in as one of their own.
‘I am just so happy. My family has been with me every step of the way. The ups and the downs. I have been on the right track because of them and they are here to celebrate with me. I would do anything to make this club win. To win this now is another level.’
On his future, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Manchester United target Rice said: ‘There is a lot of speculation on about my future. There is interest from other clubs, that’s out there. But ultimately, I’ve still got two years left at West Ham. I love this club. I love playing for this club.
Declan Rice toasted winning the Europa Conference League as captain of West Ham United
He was immediately quizzed if it was his last game for the club and he refused to be drawn on it
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has made Rice his top target with a £90m offer prepared
‘There hasn’t been anything yet. My focus is on playing for West Ham, enjoying tonight, and seeing what happens. I’m captain of this club. I absolutely love it to pieces. I cannot speak highly enough of this place. Let’s just see what happens. Let’s wait and see. Who knows?’
After Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi’s head was cut open by a plastic pint glass thrown by a West Ham fan, Said Benrahma’s penalty opener was cancelled out by Giacomo Bonaventura. With extra time looming, Bowen clinched the Conference League trophy.
Moyes said: ‘The moments you get to celebrate with your family and win in the last minute of the game, it doesn’t happen often. It is a brilliant feeling.
‘If somebody had said three years ago when I took the job that you’d avoid relegation and finish in Europe and I would have said you were mad. This competition has been great for us, the players have been remarkable.’
Bowen added: ‘I thought I was going to cry, I’m just so happy. To do what we did tonight, to give the fans this moment, I’m over the moon.’