Sheringham signs new deal with West Ham
Teddy Sheringham has signed a new one-year contract at Premiership newcomers West Ham.
The former England striker, who will be 40 in April, scored 20 league goals to fire the Hammers to promotion via the play-offs last season.
He joined Alan Pardew’s side on a free transfer last summer and now hopes to play a key role in keeping West Ham in the top flight.
“It’s fantastic to have signed for another season at West Ham,” Sheringham told the club’s website www.whufc.co.uk.
“It was a dream of mine when I arrived to help the club get back into the Premier League and achieving that in my first season was amazing.
“The celebrations at the end of the season were incredible and I felt lucky to be a part of that. Now I’m looking forward to playing back in the top flight with West Ham.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to be playing Premiership football again and now we’ll just have to see how things progress next season.”
The former Manchester United and Tottenham star, capped 51 times by England, has won the Premiership, Champions League and FA Cup in a distinguished career which has spanned more than 20 years.
He will become one of the oldest players to have played in the Premiership, although he has some way to go if he is to match the record set by goalkeeper John Burridge who was 43 years and five months old when he played for Manchester City against QPR in May 1995.
“I don’t know what role I’ll be playing next season,” Sheringham added. “That’s entirely down to the manager.
“All I know is that I’m fit and I just want to do whatever I can to help the club succeed in the Premier League.
“I think it’s important we get off to a good start, and keep the momentum from the play-offs going.
“That means a lot of hard work in pre-season and hopefully some good fixtures to start with.
“There are a lot of good, confident young players in the squad and although for many of them it will be their first time in the Premier League I’m sure they’ll handle the step up.
“I’ll obviously do whatever I can to help them along as well.”
Despite his age, Sheringham refused to state this would be the last season of a glittering career which began at Millwall in 1984.
“It’s fantastic to be back in the Premier League again,” he agreed.
“I’m not looking any further than the start of next season and what is a very exciting time for everyone connected with West Ham United.”
