A delighted James Collins has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension with West Ham United

West Ham United are delighted to confirm that James Collins has signed a two-year contract extension.



The centre-half has been rewarded for a series of strong performances and an all-round professional approach with a deal that now expires in the summer of 2018.



The Wales international, who has made 160 appearances for the Hammers over two spells, could hardly contain his pride and delight at putting pen to paper.



“I’m obviously delighted to sign, as it was worrying me a bit that I’d have to leave again!” he smiled. “To be signing for another two years, I can’t explain how happy I am to be part of a Club that is moving forward and getting bigger and bigger, so to be part of that is unbelievable.



“I try to be professional, as I’ve been in teams where players make a negative effect when they’re not playing, so I am just proud to be part of such an amazing Club. I’m happy coming in every morning, whether I’m playing or not playing, and I train hard and try to keep myself fit.



“Like I said, to be part of such a big club for such a long time, I’m a very lucky boy. To sign for another two years is something that, to be honest, looked doubtful at the start of the season, so I got my head down and trained hard and tried to show what I could do.”

To be signing for another two years, I can’t explain how happy I am to be part of a Club that is moving forward and getting bigger and bigger, so to be part of that is unbelievable

While he may now be lacking the flame-coloured hair that gave him his nickname, Ginge says he is feeling fitter and sharper than at any stage in his illustrious career.



The 32-year-old has been excellent this season, helping West Ham to a top-half position and Wales to qualify for next summer’s UEFA European Championship finals.



He revealed that advice from former teammate, coach and friend Teddy Sheringham has helped him to remain in top shape.



“I said to the gaffer this week that I feel better now than I did when I was 23 or 24, as I struggled a lot with injuries in my early days,” he explained. “I am still really close with Teddy Sheringham and he told me that the older you get, people try to stop you training as much, but Ted always said ‘the older you get, the more you’ve got to train to keep up with these younger lads’.



“The game has changed a lot as I’ve got older, with a lot of younger lads coming through fighting for your place, so you’ve got to stay as fit as you can for as long as you can, and I took Teddy’s advice on board and trained every day and feel as fit as I ever have.”

For Collins, West Ham and Wales, the future is looking extremely bright and he cannot wait to be part of West Ham’s move into the new Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park next summer.



“It’s massive and that was the biggest thing in my head, really – to be part of something that is moving forward and is so big,” he revealed. “The thought of not being involved in it was getting me down a little bit.



“The thought of not being involved in this Club, and with the fans who I have got a special relationship with and have always been great to me, was playing on my mind.



“As soon as I knew I could get a chance, I had to perform to be involved in that, and fortunately that’s what has happened.”



On a personal level, remaining with West Ham is also hugely important to Collins and his family and friends, with his wife and three young children happily settled in the Essex area.



“Again, that was big, the thought of having to move the kids was something me and the wife talked about,” he explained. “Obviously we didn’t want it to happen, but the longer it went on, we had to talk about it and it was playing on everyone’s minds.



“It was another major reason why I had to knuckle down and prove to the gaffer and all of the staff that I was worthy of a contract.



“I’ve got my head down and thanks to the gaffer, the Club and everyone involved that I have signed a new contract. Merry Christmas!”