Benayoun Hammers out new deal

Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun has signed a new five-year contract at West Ham.

The 27-year-old played a key role in the Hammers escaping relegation from the Premiership and will now remain at Upton Park until 2012 at least after agreeing the new deal.

Benayoun, who signed from Racing Santander for £2.5million in July 2005, told www.whufc.com: "I'm very pleased to have agreed this new deal. From the first moment I arrived at West Ham, the club felt like home to me. We have the best supporters in England."

He added: "The natural thing for me was to sign a new deal and I'm very happy because I want to stay at this club. I'm sure we'll have a better season next season because we have players with a lot of quality.

"We will also have new players coming in to make us stronger and better. I'm very pleased because it is the best place for me.

"The chairman is very ambitious and I want to thank him because the negotiations were very quick. He and the manager showed me they wanted me to stay immediately. Hopefully I will pay them back on the pitch and I will do everything in my power to match their ambition."

Chairman Eggert Magnusson said: "We are very ambitious and Yossi is a big part of our plans. I'm very pleased to have agreed terms to keep him at the club for five more years.

"We are looking forward to bringing in exciting new signings but we must also make sure we keep hold of the hugely talented players we already have."