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West Ham striker Carlton Cole has signed a new 18-month contract after rejoining them on a short-term deal in October.

Cole, 30, was released in May after struggling for form during his seventh season with the club.

But he started training with the Hammers again in September and signed a three-month deal in October.

He has scored four Premier League goals in 11 appearances, with three in his last six matches.

QPR had been interested in signing the former England international if the Hammers, who have struggled for attacking options because of Andy Carroll's injury problems, could not agree an extension.

Cole, who scored in West Ham's 2-1 Championship play-off final win over Blackpool in 2012, is 16th on the club's list of all-time top-scorers.

He for an undisclosed fee from Chelsea in 2006.