As a trio of other Hammers stars mull over offers of new contracts, manager Gianfranco Zola is pleased that one midfielder has committed his future to the club.
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has hailed the decision of England midfielder Scott Parker to commit himself to the east London club by signing a new contract that will keep him at Upton Park until 2013.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle United midfielder inked the new contract last week and, whilst his team-mates Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Lucas Neill all mull over offers of new deal themselves, Zola feels that Parker's commitment is a further sign of the progress being made by the club as they adhere to the principles contained in their recent policy document, 'The Football Project'.
We are very proud to keep a player like him. It shows we are doing a good job and the players appreciate what we are doing," Zola told The Essex Echo.
"It's not a matter of money because if it was he would have gone. He likes what we are doing here and that's a positive sign.
"Robert Green is due to sign a new contract and the club are also speaking to Lucas Neill. I think they are happy to stay.
"I don't think he (Neill) asked for a pay rise but I think the club have tried to make him happy.
"He is a player who has done a lot for us this year and the club want to extend his contract."
The Sardinian also reserved some words of praise for young Welshman Jack Collison, who has stepped forward from the club's academy to play an important first-team role this season.
"Jack Collison has been a real surprise for me, not just because of his qualities but because of his personality," Zola added.
"You can play good matches and bad matches but you can see a player with personality, who is willing to give everything to the game.
"He has been fantastic in this way. He's a player who is going to become a very, very important player in this country and for West Ham for a long time."
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola has hailed the decision of England midfielder Scott Parker to commit himself to the east London club by signing a new contract that will keep him at Upton Park until 2013.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle United midfielder inked the new contract last week and, whilst his team-mates Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Lucas Neill all mull over offers of new deal themselves, Zola feels that Parker's commitment is a further sign of the progress being made by the club as they adhere to the principles contained in their recent policy document, 'The Football Project'.
We are very proud to keep a player like him. It shows we are doing a good job and the players appreciate what we are doing," Zola told The Essex Echo.
"It's not a matter of money because if it was he would have gone. He likes what we are doing here and that's a positive sign.
"Robert Green is due to sign a new contract and the club are also speaking to Lucas Neill. I think they are happy to stay.
"I don't think he (Neill) asked for a pay rise but I think the club have tried to make him happy.
"He is a player who has done a lot for us this year and the club want to extend his contract."
The Sardinian also reserved some words of praise for young Welshman Jack Collison, who has stepped forward from the club's academy to play an important first-team role this season.
"Jack Collison has been a real surprise for me, not just because of his qualities but because of his personality," Zola added.
"You can play good matches and bad matches but you can see a player with personality, who is willing to give everything to the game.
"He has been fantastic in this way. He's a player who is going to become a very, very important player in this country and for West Ham for a long time."
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