West Ham sign teenager Rice on long-term deal

AFP  |  London 

were celebrating on Friday after rising teenage star Rice signed a new long-term contract with the League club.

The will come as a boost to the Hammers, who moved into the top half of the table with a 2-1 win away to on Thursday, after Rice rejected an initial offer earlier in the season.

Rice's previous deal was due to run out at the end of next term, leading to fears he could leave for nothing were he to move to a rival club when that contract ran out.

"Signing to a new long-term contract is something we have been planning for and working round the clock on and I, the board, the and himself are all very happy that everything has now been completed," said joint chairman

Such is Rice's ability he is being courted by both the Republic of and England.

The London-born Rice has been capped by the Republic but not in a competitive fixture, leaving the door ajar for a call-up by England

But while he ponders his international future, Rice was pleased to have committed his club future to West Ham, a club with a long tradition of nurturing young players.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have got the contract done, signed and to commit my future to the club until 2024. I'm absolutely ecstatic," he said.

"Without a doubt, the plan was always to stay at West Ham. I've had the support from the fans, from and from the (Manuel Pellegrini) and now, to get it done and commit myself to this club is a very special moment.

"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.

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First Published: Sat, December 29 2018. 08:25 IST