The Ship Sank, But the Captain Stays. He Aims to Bring the Club Back to the Premier League

"You have a lot of time to think during the summer, and many things run through your mind. I'm looking at what will bring me the most happiness many years from now, when my career ends. It was a clear decision. The main motivation is to stay and get this club back into the Premier League, where it belongs," Bowen stated.

The England international revealed he recently traveled to Prague to meet with the club's majority shareholder, Daniel Křetínský. They discussed West Ham's ambitions to immediately return to England's top flight. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo also remained in his position and will lead the team after their 14-year tenure in the top division concluded.

"The ambition I felt from them, especially regarding the club's direction, really impressed me. It didn't take much, because this club means a lot to me. I've been here for six and a half years and have gone from a young player in the second division to club captain, which is a huge honor for me," Bowen, who has scored 85 goals in 280 appearances for West Ham since arriving from Hull City in 2020, said according to AFP.