Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen react to ’emotional’ Aaron Cresswell announcement
Aaron Cresswell’s tear-jerking announcement video has caught the attention of both Arsenal’s Declan Rice and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen.
Cresswell joined the Hammers from Ipswich back in 2014 and has made 367 appearances for the club across 11 seasons.
The Englishman has played 16 league games for Graham Potter’s side in the 2024/25 campaign, with the East London side set for a mid-table finish.
In 2023, the full-back came off the bench as the Hammers won the Europa Conference League, beating Fiorentina 2-1.
However, West Ham confirmed that Cresswell would depart at the end of the season, after he was not included on their retained list.
Cresswell leaves West Ham
Cresswell is one of four players who will be leaving West Ham this summer, as the club decided not to renew their contracts.
Lukas Fabianski, Danny Ings, and Vladimir Coufal are all due to depart the London Stadium, along with the veteran full-back.
On their official Instagram account (16 May), West Ham posted a tribute video of Cresswell, in which the 35-year-old gets visibly emotional as he talks about his time at the club.
The post was captioned: “Once a Hammer, always a Hammer. Leaving with the legacy of a legend, after 11 years in Claret and Blue. Thank you, Aaron Cresswell.”
Club captain Bowen was quick to pay tribute to the defender, commenting: “What a guy,” while Arsenal midfielder and former team-mate Rice liked the post to show his appreciation.
West Ham set for summer of change
Football Insider Verdict
Football Insider exclusively revealed last month (28 April) that West Ham are set for a big transfer overhaul this summer.
A number of the squad, including Mohammed Kudus and Tomas Soucek, could leave the club, along with the four players who have already been released.
The Hammers have had another average season in the Premier League, not threatened by relegation but sitting firmly mid-table.
| Position | Team | Games | Points |
| 14 | Wolves | 36 | 41 |
| 15 | West Ham | 36 | 40 |
| 16 | Man United | 36 | 39 |
| 17 | Tottenham | 36 | 38 |
Potter was appointed in January, after Julen Lopetegui was sacked due to a poor start to the season.
After a positive start, the wheels have slightly fallen off at the London Stadium, with West Ham winning only one out of their last nine league games.
If they are to have a better 2025/26 campaign, they must be aggressive in the transfer window, as well as clearing out the deadwood.