West Ham have announced Michail Antonio has put pen to paper on a new four-year deal ending speculation about his future at the club.
Antonio’s previous deal wasn’t due to expire until 2020 but West Ham have rewarded the winger after establishing himself as one of the club’s best players this season.
The 27-year-old hasn’t featured for West Ham since their 1-0 win over Swansea at the start of March and won’t be fit again until next season due to a hamstring injury.
However, there were fears Antonio had played his final game for the Hammers due to problematic contract negotiations but the Slaven Bilic’s side have now made a breakthrough to keep the versatile forward at the club until at least 2021.
“It’s about time, eh!” Antonio told the club’s official website. “I’m only joking! I’m over the moon, I’ve loved my time here and I’m just happy that we have managed to get things sorted so I can move onto next season and do what I’ve done this season.
“I’m delighted to have signed a new four-year deal. I’d like to thank the chairman because we had a nice little deal for this to get sorted. He’s a lovely man and thanks very much!
“When I was younger, I was growing up in south London and used to come to West Ham games. I’ve loved my time here. Last season I managed to finish as runner-up here. Last season I managed to finish as runner-up in the Hammer of the Year award and this year I’ve won it, so it’s a case of pushing on and I don’t want to drop my standards next season.
“This year has been a better year than last year because I’ve played from start to finish and I managed to get the England call-up I’ve been dreaming of since I was a child. Hopefully I can keep pushing on and doing even better, because I always want to do better than I have done previously.”
Antonio has scored more goals than any other West Ham player in the Premier League this season (9); registered more assists of any current teammate (3) and averages the most dribbles per game (2.9).
Not only that, but Antonio is one of five players that have scored six headed goals in the Premier League this season.
For more stats on Michail Antonio, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
