Newton Signs New Deal

WEST Ham United have agreed a new two-year contract with midfielder Shaun Newton.

The 29-year-old former Wolves and Charlton star arrived at Upton Park on a short-term deal in March to bolster Hammers successful promotion push.

Shaun starred in the Play-off Final win over Preston at the Millennium Stadium, making 11 League appearances, with his versatility proving a major asset to Alan Pardew's squad.

Now he's looking forward to taking on the big-time with the Hammers.

Shaun said: "I'm delighted to have my immediate future secured at West Ham United. I've really enjoyed my time with the Club so far, and hopefully that will continue as we all look forward to attacking the Premiership.

"I have a lot to thank the Club and the manager Alan Pardew for. He brought me back to London and showed faith in me to bring me in at a really important time for the team.

"He put me straight into the team and hopefully I went some way to repaying that faith by helping the Club win promotion.

"The supporters have been absolutely brilliant as well, and the celebrations in Cardiff and again at Upton Park after the promotion are scenes that will stay with me for a long time.

A Londoner born and bred, Shaun left the capital to play four years with Wolves. In that time he helped the Molineux club to promotion, but Dave Jones' side could not sustain their Premier League status beyond one season.

Now that he's settled back in the capital Shaun is hoping to go one better with the Hammers.

"Hopefully now I can keep doing well and help the Club stay in the Premier League," he said. "I feel settled back in London now and it's a relief for me to have everything sorted out.

"I'm really looking forward to the start of next season. There is a great atmosphere around the Club after winning promotion and that can only help us going into the new season.

"The Premier League is a big step up and it's going to take a lot of hard work. But there's quality throughout our squad and I believe that we're well capable of staying up and moving the Club forward."