West Ham star targets Premier League return as bumper new deal agreed

Soucek, who helped West Ham lift the Conference League in 2023, was entering the final year of his deal but has now signed fresh terms until the summer of 2028. The Czech Republic international has been an integral part of West Ham's squad since signing from Slavia Prague in 2020, making 285 appearances and scoring 47 goals.

He publicly expressed his desire to end his career at West Ham and has now extended his contract past his 33rd birthday. On his new contract, Soucek said: "It feels great because now I've been in this club for so long and I will be here for another year.

It was great from the start, but it's also great now, for my family and for all the West Ham supporters who I am very close to. I'm enjoying life in claret and blue.

I've been here half my football life, seven years, and it will be more. I can say with my heart it's my home and it's where I feel so proud of what we've done and I believe that we will do even more.

After signing a new contract, I have a new ambition for myself and for the Club. The first is that we want to go straight back to the Premier League, then I want to play and be successful in the Premier League next season.

Soucek, who earned the Hammer of the Year award in 2021, has recently returned to fitness after suffering a serious ankle ligament injury during the Czech Republic's World Cup group stage game against Mexico. The 31-year-old had to be stretchered off the pitch against Mexico and afterwards penned a heartfelt statement reaffirming his commitment to West Ham following their relegation to the Championship.

This isn't how I imagined ending the season. And certainly not with an injury," the statement read.

That hurts me more than anything. "The good thing about football is that there's always another challenge waiting.

A new season is almost here, bringing a new opportunity to put things right. For 12 years as a professional, I've been lucky enough to avoid a serious injury."