West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola says they're determined to defend their Europa League title.

The Hammers meet SC Freiburg this week in the first-leg of their round of 16 tie.

Areola said, “We're European champions, so when you taste that feeling of lifting a trophy you just want to lift more and more.

“It will be tough, really tough. There are good teams still in there but we'll compete to the maximum we can and really enjoy the competition.

“We've been through a tough moment and now we're in a good position in our heads to compete in Europe.

“We're here for that — to try to reach another European competition next year, and to try to win the one we're in this year."