What a few months it has been for Jarrod Bowen.
From welcoming his first children – twin baby girls - into the world, to scoring the winning goal in the last minute in a major European final, the end of last season was special for the forward.
Add to that his immense form in the 2023/24 season so far, with five goals and two assists in nine appearances, and a recall to the England international squad, and it is easy to see why a smile has been almost permanently plastered across his face.
Bowen has even more reason to keep smiling now too, with his long-term future at West Ham United secured. The No20 has penned a new contract with the Club until 2030; a just reward for the attacker’s immense contributions and fine form.
For the man himself, committing his future to the Hammers is an expression of gratitude; a thank you for giving him the chance to become the footballer and the man he is today.
“This means everything to me,” he said. “When I was a little boy, I just wanted to play football at the highest level, and this Club gave me the opportunity when no one else wanted to.
“Without this Club, I wouldn’t have played for my country and I wouldn’t have scored the winning goal in a European final. So I think it’s only fair that I repay that faith.
“I want to stay here and I want to stay here for the rest of my career. This is a sign of that. It’s been a long time and there’s been a lot of talk, but it’s finally over the line and to get it done before I go away [with England] is so special.”
And what a player Bowen has become.
Signed in January 2020 from Hull City, the winger moved to an Irons side looking to climb away from the relegation zone and remain in the Premier League. He would score on his first start in Claret and Blue, in a 3-1 win over Southampton, before the COVID-19 Pandemic gripped the globe.
Helping the Hammers stay up, Bowen would be integral to the side that would qualify for the UEFA Europa League, reach the tournament semi-finals in 2021/22 and became the first player in two decades to register ten goals and ten assists in the same season for the Club.
His involvement in the UEFA Europa Conference League is etched into West Ham legend. With his commitment to the team secured for another six-and-a-half years, Bowen now wants even more.
He smiled: “It’s nearly four years and it feels like I’ve been here so much longer. When I signed it was a bit of a whirlwind. We were going into a global pandemic, which was a bit strange for everyone. But since I’ve been here the journey I’ve been on, and the Club has been on, has been something I’d have never imagined.
“I came to this Club knowing it was a big Club, but not really sure what to expect. To be European semi-finals, European finals, play for my country and play in the Premier League, it’s gone so much better than I ever could have imagined.
“I just want to keep it going. I think a happy player is a good player, and I’m certainly happy here. I want to keep here for as long as possible. I want to keep playing, keep bringing those moments and keep bringing those goals to this Club.
“I want to keep enjoying it, with a smile on my face. That’s the main thing for me, I’ve always had a smile on my face since I’ve been here and I think that’s helped me go on to be the player I am.”
Even by the lofty standards Bowen has set himself, recent efforts have taken him to another level.
The 26-year-old finds himself along the Premier League’s leading goalscorers this campaign. His five in the opening eight league outings is bettered by only three players.
Playing across the front line for West Ham, Bowen has no fear in front of goal. The attacker backs himself in every situation.
“It’s about confidence and focusing on yourself, and not letting anything distract you or letting any outside noises distract you and just focus on your football,” he explained. “That’s what I’ve been doing, especially the last six months or so. That’s all I’ve been doing – just focusing on myself and not letting my feet off the ground.
“I want to play the best I can play and score the goals I know I can score. It’s confidence and momentum, taking it from the Conference League final and then into pre-season and then the start of the season as well. Me and the team as a collective, I think we’ve started the season really well and we want to continue those standards because these are the standards we set ourselves.”
Is this the best football of Bowen’s career so far?
“I think so, yes. There was a stage when I got my first England call-up that I was playing good football but I think this is the best football I’ve ever played. The goals are good but I think my game, my all-round game, and what I bring to the team too.
“I think that comes from a maturity and with age. I know my role in the team and you have more confidence. People will argue that maybe two years ago was my best form but I think this is the best football I’ve been playing.
“I still think there is another level to go too, and now this contract is done I think this will help take me there.”
Bowen could go on to score hundreds of goals in the next six years, but it will take something very, very special to change the one that the Claret and Blue Army love the most.
His run onto Lucas Paquetá’s beautiful pass in Prague, and his bobbling finish, ended a wait of 43 years for silverware in east London. In the eyes of the collective, Bowen is already a West Ham icon.
But Bowen wants more. He believes he can do even more. He is backing himself to give the supporters even more of those special moments in seasons to come.
With eyes on ending his career in Claret and Blue, there could be plenty of campaigns to do exactly that.
“I would say I think I can do more. As a player, you’re always looking at the next goal or next big thing you can do. You don’t really have a minute to rest, sit back and think about what you’ve done.
“But I want to keep giving those moments to the fans. I want to keep giving those goals, those important moments. I’ve been here three-and-a-half years now and I think once I got this contract signed, to show that this is where I want to be and where I want to play my football, I think people will respect that even more.
“Hopefully I can go down as a legend in years to come. That’s something I’ve definitely thought about, because I’ve seen the treatment the older professionals get here and how loved and welcome they are, even when they’ve finished playing. I feel that love and I want to be part of that for years to come.”
“The fans have made me feel so welcome too. I’m not from London and I’m not a West Ham fan but I feel like I’m one of them. I feel part of this culture and feel part of this family. I’ve only been here three-and-a-half years but it feels like I’ve been here so much longer. If it goes well then hopefully it will be for the rest of my career.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be playing for but if I can stay here for my whole career then I think I’d retire as a very happy player.”
This week, though, attention turns to the crisp, white shirt that is associated with the Three Lions.
Bowen is back in the international fold and has two outings at Wembley Stadium to look forward to. Gareth Southgate’s side welcome Australia on Friday evening before a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier with Italy next Tuesday.
While the attacker has four caps to his name, all earned last season, Bowen is eager for even more. This international break gives him the chance to impress just as much in his international colours as he has done in Claret and Blue.
“I’ve been given the opportunity before, through this Club, to play for my country,” he added. “That call up is so special and I’m excited to go. It’s two really good games, two games at Wembley Stadium.
“I think I might be the only player ever who has had four caps but never actually played at Wembley, so even just going there and doing the warm-up and being involved at Wembley, that’s another box ticked for me. I want to go there, hopefully get some minutes, and I‘m really excited to meet up and enjoy another camp.”
