West Ham United are delighted to announce that midfielder Mark Noble has pledged his future to the club by signing a new long-term contract.
The 25-year-old reigning Hammer of the Year, who made his 200th start for the club in Tuesday's Capital One Cup third-round tie with Wigan Athletic, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with an option for a further two years.
A firm fans' favourite, Noble has totalled 224 appearances for West Ham, scoring 26 goals. Now in his eighth season in the first-team after progressing through the Academy, the No16 is West Ham's longest-serving player and would be eligible for a testimonial in 2014 - the first Hammers player to reach that milestone since Julian Dicks in 1999.
"I'm over the moon now it's all agreed and done," said Noble. "It was just a matter of getting things right for me and my family. Everyone knows I love playing at West Ham and I enjoy my football here so it was just a case of coming to an agreement. I'm delighted now it's all signed and sealed.
"I feel like I've grown a lot as a player since my debut and I'm still only 25. Playing for West Ham has been a rollercoaster and I've been through two promotions, a relegation and a 'Great Escape', but it's been thoroughly enjoyable and I look forward to the next few years of my career here."
After becoming the youngest player to appear for West Ham's reserve team at the age of 15 in February 2003, Noble went on to become a full-time trainee later the same year.
Named as a substitute for the first time in the Championship visit to Crewe Alexandra in August 2004, Noble made his first-team debut under Alan Pardew in the 2-0 League Cup win over Southend United a few days later.
He remained in the squad as Hammers won promotion back to the Premier League in 2005, coming on as a second-half substitute in the final against Preston North End at the Millennium stadium.
Apart from loan spells at Ipswich Town and Hull City in 2006 in order to give the then 19-year-old more competitive action, he has not looked back since, becoming an important part of the team and reaching his 100th appearance for the club in 2009.
He has also become the main penalty taker in recent seasons and scored eight from the spot last season, two of which came against Nottingham Forest in a 2-1 victory, an achievement that earned him Individual Performance of the Season at the Player Awards 2011/12.
After being named runner-up in 2005, Noble was crowned Hammer of the Year last season. He played a key part in helping West Ham progress to the npower Championship Play-Off final, where they beat Blackpool at Wembley to win promotion to the Premier League.
This season, Noble has again been at the heart of the midfield as the Hammers have recorded two wins, two draws and only one loss in their first five Barclays Premier League games.
Canning Town-born Noble's ability has also earned recognition at international level with England. He captained the Under-21s at the 2009 UEFA European Championship finals and appeared at the same competition again in 2011.
Off the pitch, Noble is just as committed to the cause with the club's various community and charity initiatives and is currently patron of Richard House Children's Hospice, an official club charity.