August 07, (THEWILL) — West Ham United have confirmed that Michail Antonio will not be signing a new deal following the expiry of his contract at the end of last season, bringing to a close the striker’s 10-year association with the East London club. The 35-year-old forward joined the Hammers in September 2015 from Nottingham Forest and made 323 appearances over his decade-long stay, scoring 83 goals. His departure marks the end of one of the most significant playing careers in recent West Ham history, with Antonio establishing himself not only through his goal-scoring record but also his versatility across multiple positions during his time at the London Stadium.
Antonio became the Club’s leading English Premier League goalscorer during his time with West Ham, a testament to his consistency and importance to the team across multiple seasons and managerial changes. His contributions extended far beyond individual statistics, with the forward playing a crucial role in some of the club’s most memorable moments. He was named Hammer of the Year runner-up at the end of his debut season when he scored in the Farewell Boleyn victory against Manchester United in May 2016, before becoming Hammer of the Year a year later in the club’s first season at London Stadium.
The striker’s career reached its pinnacle when he played a key role in ending West Ham United’s 43-year wait for a major trophy, with victory in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final in Prague. This European success represented the crowning achievement of Antonio’s West Ham career and cemented his status among the club’s modern greats. The triumph provided supporters with their first taste of silverware since 1980 and gave Antonio the opportunity to contribute to one of the most significant chapters in the club’s recent history.
Antonio’s final year with the club was marked by adversity after he sustained injuries in a December 2024 road traffic accident. However, his determination to return to football was evident when he made a comeback on the international stage in June, appearing as a substitute for Jamaica in a CONCACAF Gold Cup tie against Guatemala. His recovery continued with appearances for West Ham’s development squad, demonstrating his commitment to returning to competitive action despite the serious nature of his injuries.
West Ham have indicated that Antonio’s relationship with the club will continue in a different capacity. “Dialogue continues over his future involvement with the Club in an alternative capacity, including one that would enable others to benefit from his experience and leadership qualities – and he will forever hold a special place in our 130-year history,” the club statement confirmed. The outfit has also promised that “further recognition of his magnificent contribution will appear across Club channels in the coming days and weeks”, ensuring that Antonio’s legacy at the London Stadium will be appropriately celebrated.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
