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West Ham have confirmed that highly-rated youngster Reece Burke has put pen-to-paper on a new four-year deal, according to the club’s official website.

Burke, 19, is regarded as one of the most promising youth players to have emerged from the club’s famed academy in recent years.

It was Sam Allardyce who had handed Burke his professional debut during the Hammers’ infamous 5-0 FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest in the 2013/2014 campaign.

Since then, Burke has made ten first-team appearances and is now highly-rated by manager Slaven Bilic.

The centre-half impressed while on loan at Bradford City last season and was voted their Player of the Season.

And now Burke has been rewarded for his hard work and impressive development over the past few years – particularly when called upon during the Hammers’ Europa League qualifiers last summer and this past month.

Reece Burke
(Credit: WhoScored.com)

Some fans believe Burke can go on to be far more successful than Reece Oxford, who shot to fame following his debut against Arsenal at the beginning of last season.

But regardless of that, the club have done well to tie down one their best young players, and it is yet another sign that they are no longer willing to sell their best young talent to Premier League rivals – as has been the case in recent years.

Upon signing his renewed deal, Burke said: “Obviously as a West Ham fan as well as a player, it’s fantastic to be involved with the club during this period.

“It’s still sinking in to be honest, the move and the changes here. Over time, I really believe everything will settle in, and it will feel like home very, very soon.”

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