Reid commits future to Hammers

Winston Reid has signed a new six-and-a-half year contract with West Ham United

West Ham United are delighted to confirm that Winston Reid has signed a new six-and-a-half year contract with the Club.

The centre-back has put pen to paper on a deal until the summer of 2021, becoming the third first-team regular to sign a new contract in the last month after James Tomkins and Mark Noble.

News that the 26-year-old has pledged his long-term future to the Hammers will be welcomed by everyone associated with the Club after several leading European teams expressed in interest in acquiring his services.

The popular No2 said: “It’s one of those things that took a bit of time, but we got there in the end and I’m very happy to be here for the next part of my career. I’m looking forward to it.

“At the end of the day, for myself I feel comfortable here. I was speaking with the Joint-Chairman David Sullivan and everybody and felt like I was valued here. He was clearly very committed to getting the deal done and keeping me at the Club, so I’d like to thank him for that and I’m delighted to sign for the next six years.

“My family are happy living here too. We’ve been part of the Club living in London, so we weighed all the factors up and I’m delighted to be staying here."

Reid has established himself as one of the best central defenders in the Barclays Premier League in recent seasons, with his composure, reading of the game, strength and commitment earning rave reviews.

Born in the city of Auckland, New Zealand, of M?ori heritage, Reid moved to Denmark as a child and initially established himself as a professional with FC Midtjylland.

It was his performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, where he scored a dramatic late equaliser against Slovakia, that saw Reid catch the Hammers’ eye, and he completed a move to east London in August of that year.

After finding opportunities limited as West Ham were relegated in his first season, Reid showed his determination to force his way into Sam Allardyce’s starting XI, and he played a central role in the Club’s return to the top flight.

Back in the Barclays Premier League and Reid has blossomed into a fantastic centre-half in recent years, being voted Hammer of the Year by supporters and named as his country’s national-team captain in 2013.

To go alongside his outstanding defending, Reid has also developed a knack of scoring popular goals, netting in a Championship win over Millwall in February 2012 and in the 3-0 Premier League victory at Tottenham Hotspur in October 2013.

With his future now secure, West Ham fans now know their Kiwi hero will be All White in Claret and Blue for many seasons to come.

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