A Noble Signing

Young midfielder David Noble has signed a new contract with West Ham, becoming the first of the four players offered new deals to put pen to paper.

David, who has featured in recent Scotland 'Future' squads and has also represented their under-21s, signed a new deal on Friday afternoon.

Says MD Paul Aldridge: "I can confirm that David has signed today and we are pleased about that.

"We look forward to him helping us achieve our aim of getting promotion at the first attempt."

David, like Daryl McMahon and Steve Bywater, revealed here after the season's end their intention to sign, but the fourth of the quartet of out of contract players Glenn Roeder wants to keep, Les Ferdinand, is as yet undecided.

Noble, originally signed on a short term contract from Arsenal in January, impressed in the reserves and, although he has yet to make the bench, did appear in some first team squads and now, obviously, intends to push on into the first team.

He already has extensive first division experience, having had a lengthy loan spell at Watford two seasons ago.