Parker deal delights Zola

Gianfranco Zola believes it is a 'positive sign' for West Ham that Scott Parker decided to commit his future to the club. The midfielder was linked with a move away from Upton Park during the transfer window but Zola fought to keep his best players.Parker then signed a new contract last week to stay at the club until 2013, citing the manager's good work as one of the reasons for his decision.Zola admits he was delighted to secure Parker and has urged the club's other stars to follow his lead."We are very proud to keep a player like him. It shows we are doing a good job and the players appreciate what we are doing," said Zola."It's not a matter of money because if it was he would have gone. He likes what we are doing here and that's a positive sign."On the ongoing negotiations with his other players, Zola added: "Robert Green is due to sign a new contract and the club are also speaking to Lucas Neill. I think they are happy to stay."I don't think he (Neill) asked for a pay rise but I think the club have tried to make him happy."He is a player who has done a lot for us this year and the club want to extend his contract."Collison praiseZola has also paid tribute to young Welsh midfielder Jack Collison, who has emerged as a key player this season."Jack Collison has been a real surprise for me, not just because of his qualities but because of his personality," said Zola."You can play good matches and bad matches but you can see a player with personality, who is willing to give everything to the game."He has been fantastic in this way. He's a player who is going to become a very, very important player in this country and for West Ham for a long time."

Source: SKY_Sports