West Ham exclusive: Tomas Soucek agrees new deal as Daniel Kretinsky intervenes to get deal done for £50m-rated star

TEAMtalk understands West Ham have handed a new long-term contract to Tomas Soucek – and are shortly due to make an announcement over the deal.

The towering Czech midfielder has proved an inspired signing by David Moyes since his arrival from Slavia Prague on an initial loan deal in January 2020. Making the move a permanent £19m deal that summer, Soucek has gone on to make 158 appearances for the Hammers, scoring an impressive 22 times.

His partnership alongside Declan Rice helped the Hammers to UEFA Conference League glory last season, his first trophy since lifting the Czech Cup with Slavia in 2019.

Such has been the form of the 6ft 4in star that he has attracted attention from the likes of Bayern Munich in the past.

His existing deal was due to expire at the end of the season, though the Irons did hold a one-year option on that to effectively give them until 2025.

However, we understand the club has now handed him a new four-year contract, keeping the 28-year-old at the London Stadium until summer 2027. The deal will be announced in the coming days.

A firm favourite with supporters and rated in the £50m bracket, Soucek’s new deal has come about after an intervention from shareholder Daniel Kretinsky, who was keen to ensure his countryman is rewarded for his magnificent form and to ward off the potential threat of him leaving.

Capped 60 times by Czech Republic, Soucek is seen by Kretinsky – who is the club’s second-largest shareholder with a 27 per cent stake – as a vital figure in their plans going forwards. As such, the drive to hand him the new deal has been led by the Czech billionaire.

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Souceck ready to return for West Ham after head injury

Soucek recently suffered a head injury in the win over Brighton, forcing him to miss the 2-1 victory at Luton just before the international break.

However, the defensive midfielder will be available for selection again after the international break, as he strives to help maintain the club’s excellent start to the Premier League season.

Speaking to Czech outlet Idnes, the midfielder insists the injury is now behind him.

“I’ve had enough of those head injuries, but this was the worst,” the 28-year-old said. “The treatment is going well, I feel fit and I’m looking forward to the match. I had to follow the rules of the English FA [concussion rules].

“I trained individually, then with the players, but without contact. And after arriving in Prague for the meeting, I was able to do everything fully. It came out perfectly.”

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