Benayoun nets West Ham deal

Israel captain Yossi Benayoun has signed a new five-year contract with English Premier League side West Ham United FC which could keep him at Upton Park until 2012.

'Feeling wanted'
The playmaker, whose original deal expired in 2009, said: "The chairman is ambitious and I want to thank him because the negotiations were very quick. He and the manager showed me they wanted me to stay."

Key performer
Benayoun, who joined West Ham in 2005, played an important role in helping the London club escape relegation this season. The 27-year-old made 29 appearances for Alan Curbishley's team, including every minute of their last four games which were won to secure top-flight status. The former Maccabi Haifa FC and Real Racing Club Santander midfielder has won 56 caps for his country, scoring 13 goals.