Five more years of Cole

Cole has so far played for the Hammers no less than 59 times since his move from Chelsea in 2006 and has only scored 9 goals in that time so Gianfranco Zola and the West Ham hierarchy have decided that they want five more years of this return.

Cole, who could hardly believe his luck at landing such a deal, told the official site, "I am very pleased to sign. It is nice that I can just focus on playing good football for the club.

"I know now I am here for quite a while so it is time to knuckle down. The manager has 100 per cent faith in me and I have got 100 per cent faith in him and our team as well.

"It is good that I have got this opportunity to show West Ham supporters, and prove to myself, that I can be a big part of the prospects to come.

"We are playing some good football, the results are starting to turn in our favour and the only way is up from now. Hopefully the manager can get the team where he wants us to be and I reckon we will do really well."