West Ham United are delighted to announce that Anton Ferdinand has signed a new long-term contract at Upton Park.
The 20-year-old defender, who originally joined the club as an Academy trainee in 2001, has now put pen to paper on a new deal that will tie him to the club until the summer of 2010.
Anton, who made his first team debut for the Hammers as a 17-year-old against Preston North End in August 2003, has been an ever-present in the Premiership this season, and is now being rightly rewarded for his outstanding progress since the beginning of the campaign.
A key member of the team that won promotion to the top flight last May, he has already made more than 80 senior appearances for the club and has become a regular in the England under-21 side.
Managing Director Paul Aldridge said: "I am delighted that Anton has pledged his long-term future to the club. Having progressed through our Youth Academy, he has established himself as a important member of Alan Pardew's team and a firm favourite among the supporters.
"Anton was keen to commit his future to West Ham United and we believe he can help us to achieve the success we are aiming for in the future."
Manager Alan Pardew added: "I'm overjoyed that we have signed another of our top young players on a long-term contract and Anton fully deserves the new deal.
"He has made fantastic progress since I came to the club and I want him to be a big player for this club in the years to come.
"We now have all of our young players secured on long-term deals and that stability is paramount to the success we want to achieve at this club in the future."