Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun has signed a new five-year contract at West Ham.

The 27-year-old played a key role in the Hammers' relegation escape from the Premiership and will now remain at Upton Park until 2012 at least after agreeing the new deal.

Benayoun, who signed from Racing Santander for £2.5 million in July 2005, said:  "I'm very pleased to have agreed this new deal. From the first moment I arrived at West Ham, the club felt like home to me. We have the best supporters in England.

"The natural thing for me was to sign a new deal and I'm very happy because I want to stay at this club. I'm sure we'll have a better season next season because we have players with a lot of quality.

"We will also have new players coming in to make us stronger and better. I'm very pleased because it is the best place for me.

"The chairman is very ambitious and I want to thank him because the negotiations were very quick. He and the manager showed me they wanted me to stay immediately. Hopefully I will pay them back on the pitch and I will do everything in my power to match their ambition."