West Ham United confirm new Reece Oxford contract

Reece Oxford of West Ham looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Leicester City at the Boleyn Ground on August 15, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
© Getty Images
West Ham United confirm that midfielder Reece Oxford has signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal with the club on his 18th birthday.

West Ham United have confirmed that Reece Oxford has signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract with the club.

Oxford became the second-youngest player in Premier League history when he made his West Ham debut against Arsenal last season and has since been courted by some of England's biggest clubs.

The midfielder, who turned 18 today, reportedly rejected Manchester United in order to commit his future to the Hammers, putting pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at the London Stadium until 2021.

"I am happy to have signed my new contract. There was a lot of speculation about my future but I am happy that it has been done and I can get back to football. I just want to kick on now," Oxford told the club's official website.

"I have made my family proud and hopefully I have made the fans proud that I have signed a new contract. Hopefully I can get into the team and help them throughout the whole season.

"I have a good relationship with the gaffer and hopefully I can get a lot of game time here. I have seen some of the old players like Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand and I want to follow in their footsteps. Hopefully, I can become just as big as them or even bigger. Hopefully, I can step out and follow what they have achieved."

Manager Slaven Bilic added: "It is great news for us. It is great news to sign one of the best talents, for him to stay with us for the long term, and it is a great thing for him as well. This is the best club for him to continue his development."

Oxford has made two appearances for the senior team this season, with both coming in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League in August.

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic on the touchline during his side's Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
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1Chelsea17141235112443
2Liverpool17114241202137
3Manchester CityMan City17113336201636
4Arsenal17104338191934
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs1796229121733
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd178632417730
7Southampton176651716124
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom176562321223
9Everton176562121023
10Bournemouth176382328-521
11Stoke CityStoke175661924-521
12Watford176382129-821
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham175481931-1219
14Middlesbrough174671619-318
15Leicester CityLeicester174582329-617
16Burnley1752101628-1217
17Crystal Palace1743102832-415
18Sunderland1742111528-1314
19Swansea CitySwansea1733112037-1712
20Hull City1733111436-2212