Bernardo Rosa has confirmed his departure from Premier League giants West Ham United after signing a contract with Czech top-flight outfit FK Pardubice, speaking to the club’s official website.
It might have slipped under the radar with West Ham bidding an emotional farewell to long-serving captain Mark Noble – as well as the likes of Andriy Yarmolenko and Ryan Fredericks – but Rosa’s exit from the London Stadium was actually made public some three weeks ago.
The Hammers revealed their ‘retained list’ at the end of May. And Rosa was conspicuous by his absence.
Perhaps that was to be expected. The Rio-born midfielder is 21 these days, after all. And without a single senior appearance in claret-and-blue under his belt, the feeling was that Rosa had missed the boat.
Bernardo Rosa leaves West Ham United for the Czech Republic
The youngster will now spend 2022/23 at FK Pardubice, a side who finished 11th in the Czech Fortuna Liga last term.
“I have never been to the Czech Republic (before). I’ve always wanted to go to Prague because it’s a nice city. But I haven’t had a chance to do so yet. Maybe it will work out now that I am in Pardubice,” Rosa says during his unveiling.
“I’m looking forward to trying something new and gaining more experience. I’m looking forward to playing another league.
“Everything will probably be a little different and it will definitely move me a little further (forward) in my career. Everything will be different and I’m looking forward to trying it.”
“I noticed that there are a lot of young players (at Pardubice). We will all want to show what is in us. Of course, it will be better for me. Maybe I’ll adapt quickly and everything will be fine.”
Rosa was regarded very highly by former West Ham U23 coach Dmitri Halajko. He had lofty praise indeed for the youngster’s versatility, work-ethic and consistency, adding that Rosa had a very good chance of forcing his way into the first-team if he maintained his progress behind the scenes.
One suspects Halajko will be disappointed, then, to see Rosa depart before making even the briefest of cameo appearances for the senior side.
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