Five years ago this week, Tomas Soucek signed for West Ham United from Slavia Prague on an initial loan which turned into a permanent deal.
In that time, the Czech Republic international has scored 37 goals and also helped the club win their first piece of major silverware in 43 years.
To celebrate what a great addition to the club the midfielder has been, let’s have a look at his five best moments in a West Ham shirt.
First West Ham goal vs Chelsea
Soucek got off the mark for the Hammers with a header against London rivals Chelsea in the 2019/20 season after having a goal earlier on in the game chalked off by VAR for offside.
The header made it 1-1 in a crucial game for West Ham who were very much in relegation territory at the time, and proved to be vital as the Hammers went on to win 3-2 over the Blues.
Potato Salad
West Ham were flying high in the 2020/21 season and Soucek was having a terrific campaign, quickly becoming a fan favourite. On New Years Day 2021, Soucek snatched a win at Goodison Park over Everton, scoring a late goal to beat the Toffees 1-0.
After the game, Soucek made headlines not only for his late winner but also for a light-hearted interview with BT Sport. The midfielder revealed he would usually spend this festive period off ‘eating potato salad’. West Ham fans saw the funny side of the interview and led to many nicknaming the Czech star ‘potato salad.’
Goal vs Sevilla
One of Soucek’s most important goals for West Ham came in the 2021/22 season when West Ham faced Europa League giants Sevilla at the London Stadium in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16.
The Hammers were trailing 1-0 going into the game, but on a night where the atmosphere was electric from the first whistle, Soucek scored the all-important first goal of the match with a towering header in the 39th minute.
The importance of the goal was undeniable, with the Hammers going on to score a second goal in extra time, beating the Spanish side 2-0 and sending West Ham through to the quarter-final of the competition.
Europa Conference League Final
Perhaps not a moment that is specific to Soucek, but the Europa Conference League win for the East London side in 2023 was an unforgettable time for all West Ham fans, and the midfielder was a key member of the squad.
The Czech played nine games in the competition and was at the heart of the midfield that beat Fiorentina in the final in Prague.
West Ham fans will be forever grateful for the team that brought the club their first major trophy since 1980 and Tomas Soucek was an undeniable part of that team.
Winner vs Everton
Arguably, the 29-year-old’s best goal for the club came last season in what would be a second late winner at Goodison Park for Soucek.
With the game level at 1-1, the ball was brought down in the box by Soucek in the 91st minute, and the midfielder struck the ball beautifully on the half-volley with the outside of his boot and found the very top left corner, getting West Ham’s winner in a game which they would eventually win 3-1.