Dean Ashton has ended speculation that he could leave West Ham by signing a new five-year contract to keep him at Upton Park until 2013.The England forward, who made his debut against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, signed the deal on Wednesday evening.

Ashton, who joined the Hammers in January 2006 from Norwich, had been linked with a £10million summer switch to Manchester United and Newcastle.

But the striker, 24, has always stated his desire to remain at Upton Park and started discussions with the club as soon as the season finished last month.

After signing his new deal, Ashton told West Ham's official website: "I am delighted. I said all along that I wanted to sign. I feel I have still got a lot to show the football club and the fans. I am really happy that I have signed and now I can look forward to next season."

Having just made his international breakthrough last Sunday away to Trinidad and Tobago, Ashton was particularly pleased the deal was struck so swiftly in the close-season.

"It is a fantastic way to end the season for me," he added. "It is not going to be on my mind and now with a five-year contract, the future is here. I said I wanted to stay at the end of the season and I am really glad it has been done so professionally and sorted now."

The club's chief executive Scott Duxbury said: "I am delighted that we have agreed this new contract with Dean. It underlines the ambition of the club to progress and challenge at the top end of the Premier League.

"Dean is an important part of our plans for the new season and beyond. We are looking forward to seeing him scoring plenty of goals for West Ham United in the future."

Ashton has endured a mixed time with injuries during his time at the Boleyn Ground but is determined to become an ever better player with the Hammers.

"I didn't play as many games as I wish I could and obviously I missed the season before," said the forward, who had two years left to run on his previous deal. "I am really excited about next season. I feel I can only get better so I am really glad that I have signed and can look forward to the future.

"I think after the injury I had as well, it is nice the club have managed to agree with me on a new deal. We are really looking to the future.

"At the start of the season the fans didn't see the best of me. Towards the end, they hopefully saw that I was back to what they expect. I know I had a few fans who were perhaps weren't sure that I would get back to my best but I feel like I am only going to get better. Hopefully I can again play even better next season, score more goals and play more games."

He added that he also could not wait to see the return to fitness of key men such as Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy, and the increased attacking options that will bring, although he recognises competition for places will be fierce. "I am really excited about that.

"I am sure there are quite a few of the players at the club that have missed more games than they would have liked - especially the new signings. Again, it is going to be an exciting pre-season and we will look to challenge."

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