West Ham captain Mark Noble thrilled over Declan Rice extension | OneFootball

Thursday may have been one of the most important days in recent memory for West Ham and their supporters.

After much speculation, the Hammers penned 19-year-old sensational central defensive midfielder Declan Rice to a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2024.

Though it was always expected he would re-sign, the news will come as a massive relief, as he put pen to paper just days before he was eligible to speak with any club regarding a free transfer.

One of Rice’s biggest fans is captain Mark Noble, who was delighted to hear the news.

“It is fantastic news for both Declan and for the Football Club,” Noble told West Ham’s official website.

“I have spoken to him regularly about his situation and Declan is on a massive high now.

“He’s come into the team, he’s playing fantastically well and now he has signed a new long-term contract, which he thoroughly deserves.

“I’ve said to him that I’m always here for him because times aren’t always good and aren’t always smooth playing in the Premier League at a high level, so I’ve told him to keep learning, keep improving and keep enjoying it.

“For him, I think the sky is the limit and I’ve always said that. He’s a top player and every day that I can help him along in his journey is something to be proud of.”

Declan Rice added: “We were speaking the other day and when I told him I was signing, he actually said ‘You’ve got 400 games to go to catch up with me!’.

“Nobes has been unbelievable with me since I’ve first come in with the first team and trained with them part-time at 16, he’s always been there to talk to and to help.

“When I got moved to the first team full-time, the way he has mentored me has gone to another level.

“To play with him on the pitch, you can tell why he’s been playing at the top in the Premier League for all his career.

“He was here the last time I signed a contract and I’ve just spoken to him now and it’s great to be staying here now with him and with this Club.”