Reece Oxford in action for West Ham

Friday, December 16, 2016

West Ham starlet Reece Oxford has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract with the Premier League club.

Oxford, who can play in defence or in midfield, has been linked with a move away from the London Stadium in recent months.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in the England Under-20 international.

But the Hammers have now tied down the highly-rated youngster until 2021, announcing the deal on his 18th birthday on Friday.

Oxford said: “I am happy to have signed my new contract. There was a lot of speculation about my future but I am happy that it has been done and I can get back to football. I just want to kick on now.

“I have made my family proud and hopefully I have made the fans proud that I have signed a new contract. Hopefully I can get into the team and help them throughout the whole season.

“I have a good relationship with the gaffer and hopefully I can get a lot of game time here. I have seen some of the old players like Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand and I want to follow in their footsteps.

“Hopefully, I can become just as big as them or even bigger. Hopefully, I can step out and follow what they have achieved.”

Oxford became the second youngest-ever player to play in the Premier League when he started against Arsenal aged just 16 last season.

He has made 14 appearances in total for the club but has yet to start a match this season and is currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

Bilic said: “I am delighted and it is major news for both the cub and the player that he has committed his long-term future to West Ham United.

“I really believe he has got everything. On paper he has all the abilities to become a world-class player and it is now up to him to train hard and for us to manage him well for him to fulfil it.

“We wanted him to stay and the Board did everything to keep him. The interest from the other big clubs was real and that shows what a big talent he is.

“It is the right decision for him because we are a great club where he can become a top player.

 “He has been out injured but he is now coming back and I believe in him a lot. He is a great prospect and is the leader of the pack when it comes to the younger players.”


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