Tomas Soucek admits he could have joined West Ham United’s UEFA Conference League rivals Fiorentina ‘six months before’ ending up alongside David Moyes at the London Stadium.
On Wednesday night, as West Ham step out onto the field in their first European final for nearly 40 years, their Czech Republic international midfielder will find back himself on familiar soil.
Thomas Soucek returns to the capital with silverware in his sights; the former Slavia Prague captain likely to be one of the first names on David Moyes’ team sheet as the Hammers go head-to-head with a Fiorentina side in ominous form. 17 wins in their last 26 games across all competitions under the coveted head coach Vincenzo Italiano.
“When I realised that the final would be played in Prague, I told the boys that we had to reach it,” a smiling Soucek tells Tuttomercatoweb.
“Now, we are in Prague. And I can connect my two favourite teams (West Ham and Slavia). We will have the chance to win a trophy, and I will do everything to win here in Prague.
“Our fans are fantastic. Many have travelled without tickets. The history of the club is fantastic, but we would like to give all the fans great joy.”
West Ham United face Fiorentina in UEFA Conference League final
Soucek joined West Ham for around £15 million back in 2020 after an impressive loan spell in claret-and-blue. In an intriguing twist of fate, he will now ride into battle against the team who came within touching distance of landing him before putting pen to paper with the Hammers.
“I admit that there was interest from Fiorentina six months before West Ham,” Soucek explains.
“It was a great honour (to be a target for La Viola). But I was playing in the Champions League with Slavia Prague, and I wanted to play it with them.
“Then came the call from London.”
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