West Ham United have extended the contract of Jamaican international striker Michail Antonio who has become the Premier League club’s main focal point of attack.

The Hammers announced today, Friday, the renewal of the contract of the forward for a further two years until the summer of 2024 with an option for a further year.

The David Moyes team says they could not resist the temptation to renew the contract of the big striker owing to his outstanding performances.

“The awarding of an extension is recognition of Antonio’s contribution to the Club’s success over the past two years, and for his hard work and commitment since moving to east London in 2015,” West Ham announced via their website.

“The forward’s goals helped the Hammers stay in the Premier League in summer 2020, before his ten goals and five assists played a major role in West Ham securing qualification for the UEFA Europa League last season.

“And after hitting nine more goals and six assists in the opening half of the current campaign, passing 50 career goals in Claret and Blue and becoming the Club’s all-time leading Premier League marksman in the process, the No9 has agreed an extension to his contract that could see him complete a decade in east London,” the statement adds.

Antonio was Voted Hammer of the Year in 2017 and Premier League Player of the Month in both July 2020 and August 2021.

Antonio also earned a senior team debut for Jamaica in September last year  and appared in the World Cup qualifiers.

West Ham are on fifth position with 34 points from 20 games and are gunning for a position in European football with Europa League a distinct possibility and Champions League another dream though a remote one.