Declan Rice signs new six year contract

West Ham have announced that Declan Rice has signed a new long-term contract until summer 2024, with a further one year option for the Club to extend.

Discussing his new contract on WHUFC.com, Rice said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have got the contract done, signed and to commit my future to the Club until 2024. I’m absolutely ecstatic. Without a doubt, the plan was always to stay at West Ham. I’ve had the support from the fans, from the players and from the manager and now, to get it done and commit myself to this Club is a very special moment and I’m over the moon.

“I’ve now played 50 games for the first team and I’m progressing week-in, week-out, learning from a top manager and top players. I’m still young, so to put more years on my contract and keep developing here is the best thing for me to do now. With the support of the manager, the players, everyone, it was the right thing to do.”

Joint-Chairman David Sullivan told WHUFC.com

“Signing Declan to a new long-term contract is something we have been planning for and working round the clock on and I, the Board, the manager and Declan himself are all very happy that everything has now been completed,” he said.

“Finalising contracts takes time but it has always been our intention to keep our best players – particularly those who have come through our Academy – at West Ham United and build our Club for the future. I finalised the deal on Christmas Day and have been working to get the paperwork done as quickly as possible and I’d especially like to thank Club Secretary Andrew Pincher, one of our great unsung heroes, for working with me through Christmas to get this over the line.

Claret and Hugh say:

A late but great Christmas present to hear that Declan Rice has committed his long-term future to West Ham which means he could still be here in seven-years time aged 26 by then. This is a deal all the fans wanted, the player wanted and deep down the club wanted too. It takes the pressure off everyone by being resolved four days before the January transfer window opened as I have no doubt there were many admirers waiting in the wings prepared to try to turn Rice’s head.

There is no doubt that Rice’s future in the Premier League was nailed on and last night was another outstanding performance by the 19-year-old West Ham youngster.

The West Ham moaners will need something new to moan about but with five wins out of six in recent league games options are thin on the ground when it comes Hammers unhappiness and blame.