Mark Noble final year West Ham: Captain announces retirement from professional football

West Ham's Mark Noble has announced his retirement after 18 years, signing a final one-year contract with the club.

West Ham's long-serving midfielder and club captain, Mark Noble, has officially announced that he will be ending his 18-year tenure with the team next season. The 33-year-old, who made his debut for the Hammers at the age of 17, has signed a final one-year contract with the club, extending his time on the pitch until the summer of 2022.

Throughout his career, Noble has made a significant impact, amassing over 500 appearances in claret and blue, placing him seventh on the list of the club's all-time appearance makers. Despite being limited to just three Premier League starts this season due to the excellent form of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek in central midfield, manager David Moyes still views Noble as a crucial member of the squad, both on and off the pitch.

In an open letter on West Ham's website, Noble expressed his delight at extending his contract while also announcing that the 2021/22 season will be his final one as a first-team player at West Ham United. He emphasized that he firmly believes he still has a lot to offer on the pitch and would not have signed a new contract if he didn't feel he could bring value to the team.

Noble's decision to retire after the next season comes after much consideration and discussions with his family, friends, and the football club. He is looking forward to dedicating more time to West Ham's academy, where his son Lenny is currently a part of the team, and continuing his close affiliation with the club that holds a special place in his heart.

The midfielder acknowledged that the upcoming season will be emotional for him but emphasized that now is not the time for reflection. Instead, he is focused on finishing the current season as strongly as possible and is eager to contribute to the team's success in the remaining matches. With his unwavering commitment and dedication, Noble is determined to make the most of his final season with West Ham United.

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