West Ham face a stern test this summer to improve their ranks and move on from a disappointing first season at the London Stadium but the early signs ahead of the close season have been extremely positive across all fronts.

Michail Antonio penned a new contract prior to the season’s finale and Manuel Lanzini played down the chances of him leaving East London this summer, whilst Slaven Bilic’s future was also secured after showdown talks with the board.

West Ham have also completed their first summer purchase, which came as no surprise, with the confirmation that Pablo Zabaleta has signed on a free following his release from Manchester City.

The Hammers’ defensive line has been woeful this term and significant defensive upgrades are needed ahead of the new season, which is why Zabaleta’s experience is the perfect first step for Slaven Bilic’s restructure.

32-year-old Zabaleta arrives as a vastly experienced pro, having made 58 international appearances for Argentina and enjoying years of success at Manchester City, whom he joined in 2008 at the start of the Citizens rise to the top.

Whilst West Ham don’t quite have the financial might that City enjoyed following their takeover a decade ago, the Hammers are keen to experience a rise of their own and the move to the London Stadium was supposed to fulfil that objective.

It’s obvious from this season that West Ham are quite a way short of that objective but it was never set to be a quick turnaround in East London, although the right signings this summer can provide the boost that the Hammers need.

Zabaleta’s experience of joining a side with plenty of ambition but a lot to prove will be crucial to the Hammers over the course of the next year and the relationship on the right-hand side of the field he could create with Michail Antonio will be crucial.

He’ll also be an excellent role model for young defensive duo Reece Oxford and Oliver Burke, who many expect to make a breakthrough into the first-team fold next season, and Zabaleta could lead to the overall rejuvenation of West Ham’s side.

The Hammers are on the verge of a new era as the likes of Mark Noble and James Collins are set to be replaced by fresher faces in the coming years, with the likes of Edmilison Fernandes, Manuel Lanzini, Pedro Obiang and Arthur Masuaku all being under the age of 25.

West Ham do have a nice split though as they also have the likes of Antonio, Andre Ayew and Aaron Creswell in the prime years of their career, so the squad is balanced nicely- and Zabaleta’s experience will compensate that.

Of the West Ham veterans, most of them, excluding Mark Noble, have a limited role in the squad right now but Zabaleta arrives to strengthen an area where West Ham are extremely weak. With him and Noble on the field, the Hammers will now have two leaders to drive them forward.