Academy graduate Lewis Orford has ended speculation linking him a move away from West Ham by putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract.
The agreement ties Orford, 18, to the Hammers until 2029."Signing the new contract feels really good," said the midfielder, who was linked with a move to Aston Villa during the summer.
"I’ve always wanted to play for West Ham United, it’s where I’ve grown up. It was always my dream to represent this club and hopefully I can do that in the Premier League. All my family support West Ham, so it makes it even bigger on a personal level.
"I hope to try and make a few appearances for the first team, whether that happens in the next few months or towards the end of the season that’s my goal. I want to keep playing well with the Under 21s, as I have been doing at the start of this season, and we’ll see what happens."
Sporting Director Mark Noble, who has watched Orford develop and blossom in a position he used to call his own added: "I’ve known Lewis for a long time. He’s a fantastic passer of the ball. And what excites me is that he’s still got so much to learn.
"It's crucial that we continue to provide the best possible pathways for our young talent. It’s a tradition of the club. We’ve got such a good crop of talent coming through, and it’s so important that these boys see their future with us."
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