Jarrod Bowen has been appointed West Ham United’s new Club captain ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The England international forward will wear the armband after being named by Head Coach Julen Lopetegui, with long-serving defender Aaron Cresswell as his vice-captain.
Bowen’s leadership qualities have been evident since he joined the Club in January 2020, as the 27-year-old has established himself as one of the first names on the West Ham teamsheet through a combination of his all-round talents, relentless work-rate and commitment and never-say-die attitude.
Bowen has grown in confidence and maturity and his willingness to organise, direct and give constructive guidance and feedback to his teammates on the pitch and in the dressing room have identified him as the right man to lead the Hammers.
The scorer of 60 goals in 202 appearances, including the historic last-minute winner in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final and a joint-record 16 Premier League strikes last season, Bowen signed a new long-term contract late last year before being voted Hammer of the Year in May.
Now, the popular No20 will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds and Mark Noble after being officially named West Ham’s Club captain – an honour he was thrilled to accept.
“I am incredibly proud and happy to be West Ham United captain,” Bowen confirmed. “We’ve had many great moments here as a Club. I’ve been here four-and-a-half years now, so to be named Club captain is a really proud moment and one that I’ll wear with great honour.
“It’s four and a half years since I joined, but it’s felt so much longer and that’s the enjoyment of playing for this Club and the relationships I’ve had with all the sets of players we’ve had, the managers we’ve had and the fans. It’s been one heck of a journey and from when I first signed to be sat here four-and-a-half years later and be named Club captain makes me so proud.
“Since I’ve been here it’s just been an upward trajectory in what we’ve done on the pitch, what I’ve done off the pitch. To get to this moment is another statement of love I have for this Club, along with when I signed my new deal last year. I said then that I want to stay here for the rest of my life and I haven’t come off that page. If I can go down as a legend here in years to come, that would be great.”
Jarrod Bowen. Captain of West Ham United. pic.twitter.com/aGhrq2BdTH
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 15, 2024
Having played under the captaincy of Noble, Bowen knows wearing the armband is about more than simply leading the team out of the tunnel, shaking hands and posing for photographs, and he is relishing the additional responsibilities of skippering the Irons.
“I always wanted to be captain but I never knew if and when the opportunity would come along,” he continued. “I think every player wants to be a leader, and get the respect in the dressing room. For me, of course I wanted to do it, I never knew if it was going to happen. I just play my football, be the best person I can be and also be a leader whether I am captain or not.
“I think that’s the most important thing, especially in a team that wants to do well and wants to win. You have to have a team full of winners, to have a team that’s ready to fight for each other and that starts in training on a Monday morning building up to the game at the weekend. For me that’s always been my mindset, that’s always been my attitude and that’s what I want to carry on and instil into the changing room.
“There are some big names who have played for and captained this Club and have gone down in history, like Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds and Mark Noble, so to follow them is something I want to do and the same route I want to go down. I’ve been here for a long time now and to be captain now is the pinnacle of being a player for this Football Club. Those names will be remembered forever by West Ham fans. I’m not there yet, but I want to keep working my way to get there.
“I’ve had some good captains in my career and if I can emulate them, that’s my aim. As a captain you have to be the best person around the lads, be the voice and almost be a role model in terms of what you expect in standards every day. For me Nobes was one of the best for that, and did it in a way that was respectful. The players listened to him and got on with it.”
Bowen captained West Ham to victory over Spanish opponents Celta Vigo in the Betway Cup on Saturday, and will now lead the Hammers into the new Premier League season when Aston Villa visit London Stadium on Saturday afternoon in an opening-day fixture that will be broadcast live in the UK and across the world.
“It’s going to be an incredible feeling, that first game, walking out at the front,” he smiled. “Leading the boys out is something that I always had dreams of doing. To actually do it for the first game, especially being at home as well, on telly, for everyone who’ll be here, my family and friends, seeing me lead the team out will be really special. I don’t see it as weighing heavy, I see it as another opportunity to represent this Club with honour and pride. It’s the biggest opportunity you can get playing for a Club team, so I’m going to wear it with pride and honour and do the best I can to bring good performances and great results in the season.
“To become captain of this Club means the absolute world to me. It’s an honour I’ll wear with huge pride and I’m really looking forward to stepping out at London Stadium for the first time in the Premier League wearing the captain’s armband, and putting in good performances, getting good results and having a really good season.”
Everyone at West Ham United would like to congratulate Jarrod on his appointment and wish him and his teammates the best for the upcoming season.
