Declan Rice eyes immortality with West Ham ahead of Europa Conference League final

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By Martin Graham | 7th Jun 2023

West Ham captain Declan Rice says he wants to write his name in the WHU’s club’s history books as he prepares for an emotional game – which is expected to be his last for his boyhood club – in the 2022-23 Europa Conference League final on Wednesday evening.

The 24-year-old will wear the captain’s armband – in what is expected to be his farewell game – in their Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina at Slavia Prague’s Fortuna Arena.

Asides the chance of winning a major trophy for the first time in over four decades, Rice has spoken of cementing his name in West Ham history by becoming the first Hammers captain to lift a European trophy since Bobby Moore did so in 1965.

Rice wants to create his own legacy at West Ham

Speaking ahead of the Conference League final, Rice said: “We’ve already created history by getting to the final but now there is a chance to go and create a legacy where every single player, the manager, everyone involved will be remembered forever,’ said Rice, 24, ahead of a potentially tearful night.”

“It is a unique opportunity that we’ve got, that we really want to take. Now it’s a final, anything can happen. It’s a game of football and we’ll do everything we can to do the job.”

“It would be my biggest achievement I’ve had in football so far, 100 per cent. That would be for a lot of us. To win a trophy like this, a European trophy, with West Ham, it puts every player at a higher status within the club in terms of with the fans, how you’ll be remembered.”

Rice would go down as a West Ham legend, potentially one that could be handed a statue someday for his contribution to the club. Arsenal lead the race to sign the England star this summer but there is also competition from the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Taking everything into account, Rice adds that it would be really special if the Hammers can go all the way to win the Conference League.

“It would just mean everything, to be honest,” he added.

‘Just to lift that trophy, especially to be with the lads as well. Our group of boys are such good people.”

“To see them laughing and smiling and singing after the semi-final game, it’s definitely got the fire in our belly to have those kinds of nights again, and we’ve got the chance to do that.”

“There are loads of things that add to it, but for me it’s just about wanting to see the lads smiling again and wanting to lift the trophy, wanting to see our families after with the trophy, just everything that we’ve got 90 minutes to do. It’s in our hands, so we’re going to push to do that.”

“Every time I put on the shirt, I know how big it is. This will be the biggest match that the club has had in so long, so it’s going to be an honour to be part of and hopefully we can create some history on the night for the fans to cheer about.”