Mark Noble has signed a new one year deal at West Ham - but it will be his last with his boyhood club as he prepares to bring the curtain down on 18 years of service next season.
The long-serving midfielder and club captain wrote an emotional open latter to Hammers fans announcing his short-term deal but that he has decided to leave the London Stadium at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.
Noble, who turns 34 in May, made his debut as a 17-year-old against Southend in the League Cup in 2004 and has gone on to make more than 500 appearances in claret and blue - the seventh highest in the club's history.
Noble, whose previous contract was due to expire in the summer, has been restricted to just three Premier League starts this season due to the form of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek in central midfield.
But manager David Moyes still sees Canning Town-born Noble as a vital member of his squad both on and off the pitch.
Noble said he still believes he has 'a lot to offer' as a footballer and wanted to make his announcement so he could get back to focusing on the team, telling supporters his love for the club will last 'forever'.
In his statement on the West Ham website, Noble said: '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.
'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.
'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.
'Throughout my time here, I’m immensely proud to have captained the team these past five years, from an incredible last season at the Boleyn to the first one at London Stadium – that’s something I’ll always remember and is history for me and my family.
'As you know, I am simply one of you, a fan who grew up just around the corner from Boleyn and used to stand on the forecourt asking for players’ shirts!
'I never imagined I would go on to play for this Club so many times and have the honour of wearing the captain’s armband for so long, but every single minute of it has been made special by the fact I am representing you. '
Noble's son Lenny is currently at West Ham's academy, and the midfielder added: 'I'm looking forward to spending even more time at what I regard as one of the best academies in the world and continuing my affiliation with a club I hold so close to my heart.
'My connection with and love for West Ham United will be forever.'