STEPHEN Bywater's new West Ham United contract is good news for his former club.

The 23-year-old stopper made one senior appearance for Dale before moving south in 1998. This week he signed a deal to keep him at Upton Park until 2007.

Bywater's initial move saw Dale set to profit from his progress in the capital to the tune of '2.4 million. But the crash in the transfer market meant the deal had to be renegotiated.

Dale chairman David Kilpatrick told the club's official website: "Following lengthy discussions between ourselves and West Ham United we are delighted to have come to an arrangement that allows Stephen to continue his career there."

"We appreciate in recent years the value of the transfer market has dipped and it was only fair a new deal, that was satisfactory to both parties, was reached."

"This is obviously now the case and everybody at the club would like to wish Stephen well with his career."

West Ham United managing director Paul Aldridge said: "After protracted discussions I'm delighted the club has finally reached an agreement with Rochdale and we were able to offer Stephen a new deal he readily signed."

"He is one of the country's most highly-rated young goalkeepers and has done a magnificent job since taking over from David James."

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