Promotion star Vaz Te relishes West Ham return to top flight
WEST Ham forward Ricardo Vaz Te has vowed to savour a second taste of Premier League football after his £90m goal thrust the club back into the top flight.
January signing Vaz Te’s late strike clinched a 2-1 win over Blackpool in Saturday’s Championship play-off final as the Hammers returned to the elite at the first time of asking.
It marked a huge turnaround for the Portuguese 25-year-old, whose Premier League career looked over when he was released by Bolton three years ago.
“I feel I have been blessed with a second chance in my career and I’m cherishing it,” said Vaz Te, who arrived at Upton Park via Greece, Scotland and Barnsley.
“The Premier League is another big step, a challenge. We must go there with the mentality that we are a Premier League side, not fighting for relegation. We are going to go there and give it our best.”
Striker Carlton Cole’s 15th goal of the season put West Ham ahead, only for midfielder Thomas Ince to equalise for Blackpool before Vaz Te sealed promotion and a mammoth windfall three minutes from time.
Hammers chairman David Gold believes their elevation will help convince goalkeeper Robert Green to renew his contract.
The England stopper is a free agent this summer and Gold said retaining the 32-year-old would be addressed as a matter of urgency.