Declan Rice extends West Ham stay till 2024
Declan Rice has pledged his future to West Ham by signing a contract worth up to £3million a season.
The 19-year-old has penned a new five-and-a-half-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months, to stay at the London Stadium.
Rice’s basic wage package is around £40,000-per-week, but he could earn an extra £20,000-per-week if he meets appearance-related targets. The deal makes him one of the best-paid youngsters in English football.
The news ends months of uncertainty over the player’s future after long-running contract negotiations.
West Ham’s first offer was in the region of £10,000 per week – but the Hammers have significantly improved the deal given his growing importance to Manuel Pellegrini.
Tottenham have been keen on Rice for some time – but the midfielder will be staying at West Ham for the foreseeable future.
He said: ‘I’m absolutely ecstatic. Without a doubt, the plan was always to stay at West Ham.
‘I’ve had the support from the fans, from the players and from the manager and now, to get it over the line, get it done and commit myself to this club is a very special moment and I’m over the moon.
‘I’ve now played 50 games for the first team and I’m progressing week-in, week-out, learning from a top manager and top players. I’m still young, so to put more years on my contract and keep developing here is the best thing for me to do now.
‘With the support of the manager, the players, everyone, it was the right thing to do.’
Joint-chairman David Sullivan revealed the negotiations were completed on Christmas Day.
‘Signing Declan to a new long-term contract is something we have been planning for and working round the clock on.
‘Finalising contracts take time but it has always been our intention to keep our best players – particularly those who have come through our academy.
‘I finalised the deal on Christmas Day and have been working to get the paperwork done as quickly as possible.’
Rice has established a reputation as one of English football’s best emerging talents following a string of excellent displays in central midfield for the Hammers.