West Ham United are delighted to announce that Darren Randolph has signed a new four-year contact with the Club.
The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper continued his superb 2016 by putting pen to paper at the Hammers’ new Rush Green training base on Sunday.
After impressing for both Club and country, the 29-year-old is happy to have secured his long-term future as Slaven Bilic’s side prepare to move into their 60,000-capacity Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
“It has gone better than I could have ever expected at West Ham since I joined last summer, playing as many games as I did and then starting for Ireland in the Play-off and at Euro 2016.
“Signing a new contract means I want to stay here for a long time and be part of what is going on with the Club, moving into a new Stadium and a new Training Ground – it’s all very positive and exciting.”
Randolph is one of two top-class goalkeepers vying for the starting spot in Bilic’s team, along with Spaniard Adrian.
The pair worked superbly together under goalkeeper coach Chris Woods last season and the Bray-born stopper is looking forward to competing with Adrian for a place in the team again this term.
“I spoke to the manager and I know we both have the opportunity to work towards that No1 position, which was part of the reason I was happy to sign a new contract,” Randolph revealed.
“It is good to know I have the manager’s backing and it certainly helps my confidence to know he believes in what I can do.”
The Republic of Ireland goalkeeper continued his superb 2016 by putting pen to paper at the Hammers’ new Rush Green training base on Sunday.
After impressing for both Club and country, the 29-year-old is happy to have secured his long-term future as Slaven Bilic’s side prepare to move into their 60,000-capacity Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Buy Darren Randolph's 2016/17 Goalkeeper Kit now!
“I’ve had a good first year at West Ham and this is another positive thing to happen to me at the end of a good first season and a good summer with Ireland,” he told whufc.com.“It has gone better than I could have ever expected at West Ham since I joined last summer, playing as many games as I did and then starting for Ireland in the Play-off and at Euro 2016.
“Signing a new contract means I want to stay here for a long time and be part of what is going on with the Club, moving into a new Stadium and a new Training Ground – it’s all very positive and exciting.”
Randolph is one of two top-class goalkeepers vying for the starting spot in Bilic’s team, along with Spaniard Adrian.
The pair worked superbly together under goalkeeper coach Chris Woods last season and the Bray-born stopper is looking forward to competing with Adrian for a place in the team again this term.
“I spoke to the manager and I know we both have the opportunity to work towards that No1 position, which was part of the reason I was happy to sign a new contract,” Randolph revealed.
“It is good to know I have the manager’s backing and it certainly helps my confidence to know he believes in what I can do.”
It has gone better than I could have ever expected at West Ham since I joined last summer
Randolph returned to training and pre-season duty after a short post-Euro 2016 break, having excelled during Ireland’s run to the Round of 16.
With West Ham taking on NK Domzale in a must-win UEFA Europa League third qualifying round second leg on Thursday and Juventus visiting in the Betway Cup on Sunday, the agile stopper is set to make his London Stadium bow this week.
“Everyone wants to get back on the pitch as soon as possible and put things right after what happened in Slovenia,” he conceded. “We all want to get the win we need to get through and we have the chance to do that on Thursday night.
“Then we have Juventus on Sunday, so hopefully I’ll get to pull on the gloves and play my part at our new home.”
After a summer on the road in France, Austria and Slovenia, Randolph and his teammates – who also visited the United States – have started life at the Club’s smart new training centre in Rush Green.
“It’s very nice,” Randolph revealed. “Coming into the building for the first time since all the work has been done, it’s much bigger than the one at Chadwell Heath and is a nice, positive environment in which to work.
“While travelling is enjoyable, it is good to be back into the routine and training every day in familiar surroundings. Rush Green has a nice feel to it.
“We are back to normality, if you like, and with all the same faces around it feels like we have never been away!”
With West Ham taking on NK Domzale in a must-win UEFA Europa League third qualifying round second leg on Thursday and Juventus visiting in the Betway Cup on Sunday, the agile stopper is set to make his London Stadium bow this week.
“Everyone wants to get back on the pitch as soon as possible and put things right after what happened in Slovenia,” he conceded. “We all want to get the win we need to get through and we have the chance to do that on Thursday night.
“Then we have Juventus on Sunday, so hopefully I’ll get to pull on the gloves and play my part at our new home.”
After a summer on the road in France, Austria and Slovenia, Randolph and his teammates – who also visited the United States – have started life at the Club’s smart new training centre in Rush Green.
“It’s very nice,” Randolph revealed. “Coming into the building for the first time since all the work has been done, it’s much bigger than the one at Chadwell Heath and is a nice, positive environment in which to work.
“While travelling is enjoyable, it is good to be back into the routine and training every day in familiar surroundings. Rush Green has a nice feel to it.
“We are back to normality, if you like, and with all the same faces around it feels like we have never been away!”