PRAGUE – As Declan Rice cradled the Europa League trophy in his arms, the West Ham captain could reflect on the end of a 43-year odyssey.
It is also the beginning of a new chapter in their inspiring story.
In what was his last game for the Hammers, the midfielder was eliminated like a fairy tale when Jarrod Bowen scored a last-minute winner to secure a dramatic 2-1 win against Fiorentina in Prague on Wednesday.
Scorned by Chelsea as a teenager and questioned even by the club where he finally made a name for himself, Rice will go down in history as the third man to lift major trophies in West Ham colours.
Bobby Moore lifted the 1964 FA Cup and the 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup, while Billy Bonds captained the team that won the 1975 and 1980 FA Cups.
“I’m still in shock. It’s amazing,” Rice said.
“I love this club, they made me one of them.
“There is interest from other clubs. Let’s wait and see. Who knows.”
West Ham chairman David Sullivan confirmed on Thursday that the player will leave next season.
As Rice wiped away tears of joy, the 24-year-old knew he would be leaving the Czech capital facing a turning point in his career.
He has made it clear that he wants to play in the Champions League, something that currently exceeds the wildest dreams of West Ham, who finished 14th in the Premier League this season.
He’s valued at around £100 million (S$168 million), but that won’t stop Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Bayern Munich in the running for his signature.
Rice’s rise to stardom began with a kick in the mouth when Chelsea released him in 2014 after eight years at the youth academy.
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2023-06-13 20:34:33
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