

West Ham United is pleased to confirm that Marko Arnautovic has signed a contract extension.

The Austrian has reiterated his 100 per cent commitment to the Hammers after opting to put an end to speculation linking him with a move to China by extending his deal with the club.

The Hammers forward says he cannot wait to score more goals in the Claret & Blue and help lift the Club further up the Premier League table over the rest of the 2018/19 season.

He said: “I’m happy for this and I want to say to the fans that I’m happy to stay, I glad to play again, show myself and score goals, to make assists, but also to say that the major point is Marko Arnautovic never refused [to play or train]. I would never refuse.

“I’m happy, I’m happy to come to this point. I’m happy that this club is improving. Step by step, every week, every month we are seeing some improvement and that’s good.”

Arnautovic is now determined to help the Hammers finish as high as possible in the Premier League.

He added: “Our target, of course, is to climb as high as possible in the league table. We need to start again taking some points. We know it won’t be easy against Wolverhampton away and Liverpool at home. It’s never easy in this league but I’m sure we have enough quality to win games and to climb as high as possible in the table and then we’ll see.

“The fans gave me the power, they gave me the energy and that’s why I have to be here and that’s why I want to stay. I never wanted to run away because I hate this club, this was never my intention.

“I love this club and I will always love this club no matter what. You have decisions you have to make in life, but I say from now it doesn’t matter what happens I will always love West Ham and it will always be a big part in my life. I love this happiness, so listen, I’m here, I’m ready. I hope the fans are also ready and we go again.”