Flynn Downes explains ‘surreal feeling’ after completing West Ham move, as Moyes makes Bowen comparison
Flynn Downes has completed a transfer from Swansea City to his “boyhood club” West Ham United, the Premier League side have confirmed.
Downes impressed throughout 37 Championship appearances last season for Swansea, whom he joined last summer from Ipswich Town. Now, he has quickly earned his first Premier League move.
The midfielder was a target for a few clubs, but it emerged on Wednesday that West Ham were winning the race. A medical was quickly organised and Downes has now completed his move.
He has signed a contract until 2027 at the London Stadium and will wear the number 12 shirt. West Ham have not disclosed the fee they have paid for him.
Downes, who was born in the Essex town of Brentwood, confirmed a few months ago that West Ham are the team he has supported since childhood. Therefore, he is relishing the opportunity to represent them.
He told the Hammers’ official website: “It’s a surreal feeling to have joined my boyhood club. I feel like I’m dreaming.
“It’s been my dream since I was a little boy to join this club. It’s an absolute privilege. This is my club, so I couldn’t be more delighted. I’m glad to be here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I want to be the best I can be and this feels like the perfect opportunity to test myself against the very best players in the Premier League.”
But Downes’ motivations for joining West Ham were not just sentimental. The 23-year-old acknowledged the reputation David Moyes has for developing players from his kind of age bracket, as well as those stepping up from the second tier.
Midfielder ‘can’t ignore’ possible pathway
Downes added: “Players have come to West Ham from the Championship and progressed to international honours. That’s something you can’t ignore.
“The manager’s track record of bringing players through was a big motivation in me joining the club.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be a West Ham player.”
Claret & Blue born and bred.
Welcome to West Ham United, Flynn Downes! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/p63Rhkew6A
— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 7, 2022
Downes will be competing for a place in the West Ham midfield with the likes of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek. Of course, club legend Mark Noble has retired, so Moyes needed more bodies in his position.
David Moyes makes Flynn Downes prediction
The Scottish tactician believes Downes has all the attributes required to cope with the step up to the top-flight. In the process, he named current star Jarrod Bowen as someone whose example he can follow.
Moyes stated: “We are pleased to have signed Flynn and are looking forward to bringing him into the group.
“We think he’s got good energy. We think he’s got a lot of things which we have about our team, which we would want to keep and want to add to. I’m looking forward to it.
“We brought Jarrod Bowen from a similar situation at Hull, so we’re always trying to find boys from the Championship who we think are going to step up to become Premier League players.
“I’m hoping that Flynn does. I think there’s a good chance as he’s got an awful lot of good attributes.”
Downes is West Ham’s third permanent signing of the summer after Nayef Aguerd and Alphonse Areola.
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