Mark Noble made his debut for West Ham United in 2004 as a 17-year-old in a 2-0 League Cup victory over Southend United at the Boleyn Ground. He has made over 500 appearances for the club.
When West Ham was relegated, he still chose to fight for the club and brought them back to the Premier League. He was named as the club captain in 2015.
The 33-year-old has signed a one-year extension with the club until the end of the 2021/22 season. But sadly, he has also revealed via a lengthy open letter to fans that it will be his last contract at the club.
Noble said in his open letter on the club’s official website: “I wanted to write this letter to personally tell you that I am delighted to have accepted the opportunity to extend my contract with the Club, until the summer of 2022.”
“I have also decided, after much consideration, that the 2021/22 season will be my 18th and final one as a first-team player at West Ham United. It is a decision I have made following a lot of discussion with my family, my friends and people at the football club.”
“I’ve also had conversations with the manager and it’s clear that he and the club want to build something and continue to take the football club forward in a positive way – a way I fully believe in – while my desire to keep pushing the ethos and values of West Ham United, especially to our new signings and young players coming through our academy, is as strong as ever.”
“First and foremost, I still firmly believe I have a lot to offer on the pitch. I would not have signed a new contract if I didn’t feel I could do myself justice or bring value to the team.”
“Fortunately, I have been generally lucky in avoiding any serious injuries throughout my career. I feel really fit and healthy but, most importantly, I still wake up every morning with that excitement in my stomach, eager to work hard alongside the players and keep pushing the changing room on.”
Noble further added: “Next season is going to be very emotional for me, but right now is not the time for reflection or looking back on my career,”
“I’ve made this announcement at this time so that I can now just get back to focusing with the players and staff on finishing this season as strongly as we possibly can.”
“My final wish as a West Ham United player now is simply to experience the thrill and honour of stepping out in front of you again.”
“We’ve had amazing highs and, of course, difficult times, but the one thing that has kept us united has been our love for West Ham.”
“I don’t know what my future beyond that holds just yet. If there is one thing I have learned in football, is that you can’t look too far ahead, because things can always change very quickly.”
