Antonio inks new deal at West Ham
Published:Saturday | January 8, 2022 | 12:10 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
National striker Michail Antonio will be staying with his English Premier League (EPL) club West Ham United for the foreseeable future.
Antonio, 31, signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2024 with the option of remaining for an additional year until 2025. In a statement released by the club yesterday, West Ham said that Antonio’s extension was a recognition of his “contribution to the club’s success over the past two years and for his hard work and commitment since moving to East London in 2015.
Antonio has scored eight goals and registered five assists in the EPL so far this campaign, contributing to West Ham’s strong domestic campaign which sees them in fifth place in the league with 34 points, one point behind fourth-place Arsenal.
West Ham head coach David Moyes said that Antonio’s deal was one of the two contracts that they were looking to finalise behind closed doors to ensure a proper process
“We’ve gone about our business quietly, trying to do things behind the scenes and trying to do things correctly,” Moyes said.
DELIGHTED TO REMAIN WITH CLUB
Antonio, in an Instagram post yesterday, expressed his delight at remaining with the club and to continue the good form that has seen him lead the team in goals (nine) this season in all competitions.
“Delighted to extend my contract and continue the journey with this incredible team,” Antonio said.
Antonio’s 10 goals and five assists in the 20-21 season helped his club qualify for this season’s Europa League and he also helped West Ham to progress directly to the round of 16. Their opponents will be determined in late February.
Antonio became the club’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer last August netting his 49th in their 4-1 win over Leicester City and now has 54 all-time league goals for West Ham
Antonio made his international debut for Jamaica last September during the World Cup qualifiers, after making his international switch official last year. He has scored twice during the campaign and tied with Shamar Nicholson for team lead (goals scored) in this campaign.
Antonio will hope to drive a domestic cup run for West Ham when they face Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup tomorrow at London Stadium.