MICHAIL ANTONIO will not return to West Ham.
The Hammers stalwart, who was involved in a terrifying car last December, saw his contract at London Stadium expire in June.
GettyMichail Antonio will not be returning to West Ham[/caption]
Following Antonio’s recovery from his injuries, talks took place regarding an extension in East London.
But West Ham have today confirmed that no agreement could be reached with Jamaica international.
Antonio returned to action for the Reggae Boyz as a substitute in June, while he also scored twice for a Hammers academy side in a friendly against Boreham Wood last month.
The Hammers have confirmed that they will continue to offer Antonio “access to training, facilities and medical care if needed”.
Antonio signed for West Ham from Nottingham Forest ahead of their final season at Upton Park 10 years ago.
After quickly becoming a fan favourite in East London, the forward cemented himself in the club’s history books by scoring in their final match at the Boleyn Ground.
Antonio also played a pivotal role in West Ham’s run to Conference League glory in 2023 – their first major silverware in 43 years.
He departs the club having scored 83 goals in 323 appearances.
-The West Ham hero scored in the club’s emotional final fame at Upton Park[/caption]
Antonio helped West Ham win the Conference League in 2023Richard Pelham / The Sun
No man has ever netted more times for West Ham in the Premier League than Antonio.
Following his achievements in claret and blue, the Hammers have confirmed that they remain in talks with Antonio over working for the club in a different capacity moving forward.
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However for now, it appears that the front man wants to resume his playing career.
Antonio suffered a broken leg in his crash last December and had to learn how to walk again.
Opening up on the accident, an emotional Antonio told the Beast Mode On Podcast with Adebayo Akinfenwa: “What’s crazy about it, everybody in the world experienced that crash more than me.
“Even though I was in it, I didn’t live it because I don’t remember anything about it.
“I don’t remember the crash, I don’t remember being in the hospital, I don’t remember going in for the operation, I don’t remember coming out of the operation.
“There were loads of emotions coming through, my body remembers stuff even though my mind doesn’t.
“What I’ve learnt from the car crash is football‘s important, but your health is more important.”
West Ham’s statement in full
The Hammers paid tribute to their long-serving front man
West Ham United can confirm that, following the expiry of his contract at the end of last season, Michail Antonio will not be signing a new deal as a first-team player with the Club.
The 35-year-old striker, who joined the Hammers in September 2015 from Nottingham Forest, made 323 appearances over a ten-year period, scoring 83 goals, and becoming the Club’s leading Premier League goalscorer in the process. He also played a key role in ending West Ham United’s 43-year wait for a major trophy, with victory in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final in Prague.
He was named Hammer of the Year runner-up at the end of his debut season with the Club – when he scored in the Farewell Boleyn victory against Manchester United in May 2016 – and then went one better a year later, becoming Hammer of the Year in our first season at London Stadium.
The remarkable courage and determination he showed to overcome injuries sustained in a December 2024 road traffic accident saw him return to competitive action on the international stage in June, appearing as a substitute for Jamaica in a CONCACAF Gold Cup tie against Guatemala. More recently he gained further playing time on the pitch in a Hammers shirt when he played 45 minutes and scored twice for our Under-21 development team in a friendly against Boreham Wood.
Michail will always be a much-loved and respected member of the West Ham United family. As has been the case since December, the Club will continue to support and assist him in his ongoing rehabilitation, offering him access to training, facilities and medical care if needed.
Dialogue continues over his future involvement with the Club in an alternative capacity – including one that would enable others to benefit from his experience and leadership qualities – and he will forever hold a special place in our 130-year history.
Everyone at West Ham United would like to sincerely thank Michail for his outstanding, dedicated service in a Claret and Blue shirt over the last ten years. Further recognition of his magnificent contribution will appear across Club channels in the coming days and weeks.
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