The one who wanted few minutes and ended with captain’s armband

“I’m just a lad who loves Slavia. It is difficult to leave,” Souček says in his last interview.
After 14 years in Slavia Tomáš Souček changes the red and white Slavia shirt for the claret one of West Ham United. The clubs agreed on half-season loan of 24-year old midfielder for 4.5 mil. € with an agreed fee of 16.2 mil. € for permanent transfer in case West Ham will not be relegated to the Championship. The Hammers currently sit 17th in the English Premier League table.

I love Slavia, it will be hard to leave


You are leaving Slavia after a long time, what are the feelings right now?
“Mixed feelings I must admit. I am just a lad who loved Slavia since he was a child. It is hard to leave. I will support Slavia wherever I’ll be.”

Is this the right time to leave?
“There have been many speculations concerning my transfer and I had several options to choose from. But when this transfer window started, I knew it’s the right time. Last year we played Europa League in spring, we don’t play now. And I am sure we have enough lead in Czech league and that the boys can finish it successfully. It seems to me mow it’s the right moment to try my dream competition for half a year.”

Did you feel the support from the club?
“Yes, from many people around me. They wished me luck and they kept saying that this is the right time. I spoke to many people from the club, with the manager, with my family. I think now is the time to try to play abroad, especially concerning the English Premier League which is my favourite competition. I will be living my dream.”

How does it sound? Tomáš Souček and the Premier League?
“It’s unbelievable, but I have been using this word for many things recently. Together with the Champions League, Premier League is the greatest competition you can reach in football world. I am glad I could try the Champions League with Slavia and now I can try the Premier League too. It’s a great challenge but I accept it. I’m in!”



I could not be happier in Slavia


Is it easier for you to leave when you achieved almost everything with Slavia?
“Well, yes. But I was happy here, I kept saying that there could not be anything better. I played for Slavia, it lifted me to the national team, concerning football and family, I could not be happier. But now there is this big challenge ahead, I compared the pros and contras and I decided to accept it. Those pros outweighed the fact how much I love Slavia.”

When did you finally realise that Slavia was the right club for you?
“I joined Slavia when I was ten from a small city of Havlíčkův Brod. I had to commute every day, I was still attending school there. First five years were not easy, there were periods when I did not play, I wanted to leave, but people were telling me to carry on, to stay. And luckily, I listened to them. When I came to Prague to boarding school, it all turned better. I became regular starter, got into youth national teams and the best football and life years were ahead of me. Under manager Koubek I got my first chance to play for the first team and it gave me a lot. Slavia were in difficult position back then, but I value those years and the experience.”

And then - titles, Czech double, Champions League… It culminated last year, was it your best season?
“During my spell in Slavia everything was getting better and better. When I was returning from my loan to Žižkov, Slavia were literally five minutes from relegation, but since then it all got an upward tendency. We qualified for European competitions, we were improving, and it all culminated with last season, the Europa league and the equal quarter-final with Chelsea who eventually won the competition. It’s been a great year and the last autumn just topped it with our qualification for the Champions League group stage and a unique 16-point lead in the Czech league.”



I just wanted few minutes for the first team. And I ended with captain’s armband


The best years in modern history of the club are now linked to Tomáš Souček wearing the captain’s armband. How does it feel?
“I am proud. This is Slavia and I always wanted maybe just a few minutes on the pitch. And in the end, it was much more, and I could become the captain. I felt that the team believes in me. On top of it I always felt massive support from the stands, I felt that the fans like me. And I am really proud of this.”

Why do you think Premier League is the right choice for you?
“I’ve been watching those games since I was young. It’s the best club competition - along with the Champions League - you can play in. Yes, you can speak about some top 5 European competitions, but the English one is on totally different level. And I am glad I can now try it on my own.”



I firmly believe Slavia won’t forget me. I will return one day


Is there any chance we will see you in Slavia again?
“If I don’t return in summer - and I believe West Ham won’t be relegated and I will stay there - I will have a chance to try the best league in the world for a few years. But I will always follow Slavia, support the club, and I firmly believe Slavia fans won’t forget me and I will return some day. It would be a pleasure.”

What particularly decided for West Ham?
“There were more offers I was considering. And I am glad I had so many to choose from, I must thank all those clubs. Of course, it made the decision process slightly harder, if I had only one option, I wouldn’t have to bother choosing. West Ham are traditional club with huge history. They play in London on a beautiful stadium. It’s been a great challenge for me to play for such club.”

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