However, he excelled last term and attracted the attention of a number of clubs.

Downes will wear the number 12 shirt and said it is "surreal" to be joining his boyhood club.

"I feel like I'm dreaming," said Downes, who has the option for another year in his new deal at London Stadium.

"It's been my dream since I was a little boy to join this club - it's an absolute privilege. This is my club, so I couldn't be more delighted. I'm glad to be here and I can't wait to get started.

"I want to be the best I can be and this feels like the perfect opportunity to test myself against the very best players in the Premier League.

"Players have come to West Ham from the Championship and progressed to international honours. That's something you can't ignore. The manager's track record of bringing players through was a big motivation in me joining the club."

Former England Under-20s international Downes, who was born in Brentwood, Essex, made his senior debut at Ipswich in 2017 and went on to make 99 appearances in all competitions for the club.

Last season he played 32 games for Swansea in the Championship as they finished 15th.

Hammers boss David Moyes added: "We are pleased to have signed Flynn and are looking forward to bringing him into the group.

"We think he's got good energy. We think he's got a lot of things which we have about our team, which we would want to keep and want to add to. I'm looking forward to it.

"We brought Jarrod Bowen from a similar situation at Hull, so we're always trying to find boys from the Championship who we think are going to step up to become Premier League players. I'm hoping that Flynn does.

"I think there's a good chance as he's got an awful lot of good attributes."