Soucek commits future to West Ham
Tomas Soucek insists he is "ready to do everything I can" to help West Ham return to the Premier League, after he recovers from an ankle injury.
The Hammers finished 18th in the English top-flight, finishing two points behind rival Tottenham and falling into the Championship.
West Ham was relegated from the Premier League for the first time since 2010-2011, with its 39 points the most by a side to go down since both Birmingham and Blackpool in 2010-11.
West Ham's Championship campaign starts on 16 August against Burnley, also relegated from the Premier League, but Soucek is set to miss the opening stages of the season.
The 31 year-old suffered an ankle injury while representing Czechia at the World Cup, with West Ham confirming he suffered ligament damage.
Despite the setback, and doubts around his future, Soucek is determined to help the Hammers regain their top-flight status.
"This isn’t how I imagined ending the season," Soucek said.
"Not with West Ham. Not with the Czech Republic. And certainly not with an injury. I’m sorry we couldn’t give our fans the moments and results you deserved. That hurts me more than anything.
"For 12 years as a professional, I’ve been lucky enough to avoid a serious injury. Now I have to face a challenge I haven’t faced before. But everyone who knows me knows one thing. I never give up!
"Since the season ended, I’ve only had one thing on my mind. West Ham United. This club means so much to me and I’m ready to do everything I can in helping get it back to where it belongs; to the English Premier League.
"For the immediate future, I’ll support the boys off the pitch whilst I rehabilitate. Then once back, I’ll give everything I have on the pitch, fighting alongside the boys once again."
