West Ham United Football Club News

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

Parker pens Hammers deal

13 Feb 2009 - 15:57:45

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Scott Parker has committed his long-term future to West Ham United after signing a contract which will keep him at Upton Park until summer 2013.

The England midfielder was expected to leave the Hammers for Manchester City during the January transfer window.

But after the London club successfully held off the interest of big-spending City, they have rewarded the 28-year-old for his impressive form this season with a new contract.

"I am very happy, pleased and excited - especially after all the speculation in the transfer window - that I can now put that to rest and sign a new-long term contract," he told the club's official website.

"In the last few weeks, the way the club is going and the direction that the manager and the board want to go is something I want to follow.

"By signing my new contract it says that I want to do this as well. It also says a lot about West Ham as there has been a lot of negative things written, saying there was a crisis and all of that.

"This shows that West Ham are in a position to keep their players when others want them and as a player and for the fans, that is a great thing.

"The manager showed a real desire to keep me. He sees me as a massive part of the squad and that meant a lot to me, especially when there were things being written everywhere. So I am delighted to sign."

Meanwhile, manager Gianfranco Zola believes retaining Parker was essential to the club's long-term ambitions.

He added: "Scott is an excellent player and it is good to have him at our service for more years.

"We have a long-term view, and we need time to set up our project and give it a chance to grow.

"The club is sticking to this policy and it is brilliant. It means we are really serious about everything that we have said."