The Hammers were yesterday chosen as “preferred bidder” to lease the iconic venue. However, London Mayor Boris Johnson warned there were other options if a final deal cannot be struck with the Premier League club.
West Ham still need planning permission and extra funding to convert the £429million stadium, that featured stars such as hammer thrower Betty Heidler at London 2012. If successful, they will move two miles across East London from their home at Upton Park in August 2015.
Joint chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold said the deal could create up to 700 jobs and “move the club to the next level”. Vice-chairman Karren Brady promised a “world-class” stadium. West Ham – whose stars include defender Joey O’Brien – beat off bids from Leyton Orient, a football business college and a consortium linked to F1.
A previous deal collapsed last year after challenges from Orient and Tottenham. Spurs will now build a new stadium in North London.The 60,000-seater Hammers venue will also be used for athletics events such as the 2017 world championships.
Mr Johnson, chairman of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “We can secure a terrific future for this much-loved venue.”
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West Ham have won the race to move into the Olympic Stadium.
The Hammers were yesterday chosen as “preferred bidder” to lease the iconic venue. However, London Mayor Boris Johnson warned there were other options if a final deal cannot be struck with the Premier League club.