Declan Rice signs new five-and-a-half year contract at West Ham taking him to 2024 with options to extend

Rice had 18 months remaining on his current deal worth £3,000 per week

The 19-year-old has been a standout performer in Manuel Pellegrini’s side in recent weeks (Getty)

Declan Rice has signed a new long-term contract at West Ham United, securing his future for at least another five years.

The Republic of Ireland international has shone this season playing in holding midfield for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. And with 18 months left on his £3,000 per week contract, Rice had attracted the attention of some of the biggest sides in the country. Especially given that he is an association-trained player by Uefa standards.

West Ham had initially been relaxed about leaving negotiations until the summer, knowing that they could exercise the option in Rice’s contract, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2020-21 season anyway.

But Rice’s recent performances have added to the importance of securing his future, and this afternoon the club announced that Rice has signed a new deal. He has been West Ham’s most consistent player this season, even at 19 years old, and has shown why Gareth Southgate is keen to persuade him to play for England even though he has already debuted for the Republic of Ireland. Rice is set to make a decision on his international future in 2019 in time for the start of competitive internationals in qualifying for Euro 2020.

Rice’s new deal is for five and a half years, taking him up to 2023-24 season, with the club having an option for another year beyond that. “I’m absolutely ecstatic”, Rice said. “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.”