West Ham United are delighted to confirm that Scott Parker has committed his long-term future to the club by signing a new contract that will take him up to summer 2013.
The England midfielder put pen to paper on the new deal on Friday afternoon. The 28-year-old has been in outstanding form this season, playing 25 of the club's 28 games, having enjoyed a strong finish to the previous campaign. Although the subject of confirmed interest from other clubs during the transfer window, Parker said he was never in any doubt about where he saw his long-term future.
He said: "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. 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, 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."
There has been a clear policy at the club this season to agree long-term contracts with key players. The likes of Jack Collison, Freddie Sears, Herita Ilunga, Carlton Cole and Dean Ashton have all affirmed their commitment to the cause, while the manager Gianfranco Zola has also stated his long-term ambitions at the Boleyn Ground in line with the project involving him, technical director Gianluca Nani and CEO Scott Duxbury.
Zola said: "This is great news. 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.
"When I first sat with Scott Duxbury we said we want to do this in the right way and everything is going along so well. Scott, Gianluca and I are working very well together and it is the key for the good results we are getting. Everyone is playing their part, not just the players and the technical staff. They have been brilliant."
West Ham United CEO Scott Duxbury said: "Scott Parker is a hugely important player and his belief in the club's vision is a fantastic boost for everyone at West Ham United. He has been tremendous this season, not only with his individual performances but for his example and leadership to the talented youngsters we have coming through.
"Added to the absolute assurances Gianfranco has given fans this week about his long-term commitment, this agreement is a further sign that we can all look forward. Today's news underlines that a lot of nonsense has been written and said about this club in recent weeks. It is clear that even if external forces try to destabilise us, nothing will stand in the way of our football project and our efforts to bring success to this club and our supporters."