Scott Parker said the fans were a "massive factor" in putting pen to paper on a new long-term contract at West Ham United.
The reigning Hammer of the Year has committed his future to the club until 2014 with the option of a further 12 months. Parker was all smiles as he signed the deal after training at Chadwell Heath on Thursday, claiming "I always knew this was where I was going to be".
"I am delighted," he said. "I am just absolutely delighted to have signed the contract. Everyone knows I enjoy playing my football here. I really wanted to stay here, give it a shot and see what can happen. I just want to do the best for West Ham and I can't wait for Saturday against Chelsea."
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Parker is still only 29 and said he feels in as good a physical condition as he has for many years. He has ambitions for European football and admitted it would be "fantastic" to play at the Olympic Stadium, were the club to realise the ambition of securing the 2012 venue as a new home for the Hammers.
With grand plans on the horizon and given his happiness in east London, talk of him being wanted by other clubs was something that never concerned the midfielder.
"With the transfer window there is all this big hype. There are obviously times when it is stressful but from the outset I always knew this was where I was going to be. The owners came out and spoke last season and I am more than happy."
Although last season was not the easiest for the club, Parker himself enjoyed a stellar 2009/10 - so much so that the fans voted him Hammer of the Year for the second straight campaign.
"The fans mean a lot to me," he added. "I came here [in July 2007] and didn't start the best with an injury. Since then I have been in the team and the fans have taken to me very well.
"I think if you asked any player, the most important thing is feeling welcome and being appreciated by the fans. I must say that for me personally as a player that is the one thing I do feel. I feel appreciated.
"The fans show that every Saturday when they turn up home and away. That had a massive factor in me deciding to stay and obviously sign a new contract."
WATCH SCOTT SPEAK ABOUT HIS NEW CONTRACT ON WHUTV
AS WELL AS FOOTAGE OF THE NEW PLAYERS TRAINING
Parker is relishing the prospect of taking on Chelsea on Saturday and sees no reason why the club still cannot have a good campaign. "There is no question that we have got a good squad of players. We have got players who have come in and done really well and we have got players who have come back to fitness.
"We are looking forward. We have had a tough start. In saying that, we have shown some good things this year but we need to do that for 90 minutes. I am sure that it won't be long before we start clicking and you can see the best of us.
"There is no hiding the fact that we need to try and pick up some points. In the Premier League there never seems to be an easy game - whenever you're looking for one the next game that comes along is never easy.
"We got a great result against Chelsea at home last year and played really well. We drew 1-1 and their goal probably wasn't even a penalty. We go in there with great hope and, if the fans get behind us and we can put on a performance, you never know."
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