19 Aug 2017

Reid staying with Hammers

6:30 am on 19 August 2017

The All Whites captain Winston Reid has committed his future to English Premier League football club West Ham United after signing a six year extension to his contract.

Winston Reid

Winston Reid Photo: Photosport

The new deal means Reid will remain with the Hammers until 2023, 13 years since he joined the Club at the age of 22 in August 2010.

The 29 year old said "I'm pleased we've got it sorted so I'm obviously looking forward to the seasons ahead. It's going to be a big amount of time I've spent at the Club and I'm looking forward to it.

"I've been here a long time now! I think with the business we've done over this summer and the players we had here before, I think we can go on to have a good season and seasons ahead. It's all about trying to get better. I enjoy being here and my family does as well so I'm very happy I'm able to stay here."

The Hammers centre-half has spoken of his desire to keep on improving the club, noting that it takes time to build.

"I've been here for like seven years now and you start to feel a little bit old, but I'm happy and feel privileged to be here and looking forward to the future!"

After a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United last weekend, Reid will be hoping for improvement in his side's defence for their trip to St Mary's on Sunday, when they face Southampton.

Club chairman David Sullivan was the driving force behind Reid's arrival from Danish club Midtjylland just weeks after he had starred for his native New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.

The 29-year-old starred as the Hammers won promotion to the Premier League in 2012, scoring an unforgettable winner against Millwall, and has established himself as one of the Premier League's most consistent defenders over the previous five seasons.

However, Reid's most memorable moment in a West Ham shirt came at the other end of the pitch in May 2016, when he scored the final goal in the final game at the Boleyn Ground, a historic 3-2 victory over Manchester United.

"This is fantastic news," Mr Sullivan said. "Winston has been a great servant to West Ham United since becoming one of our first signings seven years ago. He embodies everything that is great about our Football Club.

"He has shown commitment and leadership and has become one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League during his time with us, and he is still improving.

"We want to keep our best players in Claret and Blue and Winston is undoubtedly one of them so, in line with our normal policy, we review the contracts of players who are doing well for the Club and reward and extend them when the opportunity arises."

"We want to gradually improve year-by-year, I think that's the most important thing for the players and for the Football Club. It's hard to take a big step in just one season, you need to gradually build so hopefully we can do that here

"Winston has given us some extraordinary moments down the years," Mr Sullivan continued. "His goals against Millwall, Tottenham and Manchester United were among the most memorable we have scored in recent seasons.

"West Ham fans love good football but they also love 100 per cent commitment to the badge and that is what Winston has given us throughout his time here, and I'm sure he will continue to give us that same level of dedication in the future.

"As a West Ham fan, I am absolutely delighted that he has pledged his future to the Club and I am sure he will play a central role in our challenge to become one of the top teams in this country over the coming seasons."