“I knew I had to give it a go to get this club back into the Premier League” – Bowen on commitment to West Ham

“I knew I had to give it a go to get this club back into the Premier League” – Bowen on commitment to West Ham Jarrod Bowen has said leaving West Ham after relegation would have been the biggest 'what if?' of his career. Bowen has decided to remain with West Ham after relegation from the Premier League last season, with the club captain turning down top-tier transfer interest. The 29-year-old signed a new contract with West Ham last month, a show of commitment from the England international after last season's disappointment. West Ham begin their challenge for promotion back to the Premier League this afternoon, with a trip to face fellow relegated side Burnley at Turf Moor. Ahead of that fixture, Bowen toldSky Sports that he would have left himself questioning what might have been had he left the London Stadium this summer. "I was asked about my future after we were relegated and it was about making the right decision for myself," Bowen said. "I thought of it as what's going to be the biggest 'what if?' when I retire? There's going to be 'what ifs' whatever you do, but it was going to be that one that would nag away at me for years and years to come. "I knew I had to give it a go to get this club back into thePremier League. That was the overriding factor." “The fans have felt a connection to me” – Bowen on decision to snub Premier League interest to spearhead West Ham’s promotion push Bowen has made 281 appearances for West Ham across six-and-a-half seasons in East London and has become a huge fan favourite. His goal sealed the club's Europa Conference League success in 2023, while the winger is in a high-profile relationship with Dani Dyer, whose famous family are all avid Hammers' fans. Asked about his connection to the club, Bowen said he has loved every minute of being a West Ham player. "I just love playing football, scoring goals and working hard for the team all the time. The fans have felt a connection to me, I've felt a connection to the fans and it's just been right. That's the most important thing. "Sometimes, things can feel forced and not real, but for me everything has felt real. We've had some really great moments and I've loved every minute."