Soccer: Reid signs with Hammers to complete 'dream move'

Winston Reid 'captured' by West Ham United. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Confirmation of Winston Reid's transfer to English Premier League club West Ham United yesterday ends weeks of speculation over his playing future since his outstanding play for the All Whites at the World Cup.

In a release, the club said ... "West Ham United are delighted to announce the capture of New Zealand Fifa World Cup defender Winston Reid. The 22-year-old has joined the Hammers on a three-year contract from Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland for an undisclosed fee.

"He had a medical on Thursday afternoon and met with the manager Avram Grant at Chadwell Heath. He then headed to the Boleyn Ground to finalise his dream move later in the evening."

Reid, who it understood to have been the target in a £4 million ($8.7 million) deal, is the club's fifth new recruit after being the subject of much speculation in recent times with a number of clubs - in England and Italy - being linked to a possible move.

"I am looking forward to getting started," said Reid on whufc.com. "My dream has been to come and play in the Premier League and I am happy that I am a West Ham player.

"It has been a mad couple of weeks and the last couple of days have been pretty hectic, so I am just happy to be here. I am pretty decent fitness-wise. I had a game last Sunday so I am in pretty good nick.

"The World Cup was a life-changing experience and something I will remember forever."

It also justifies his decision to turn his back on Denmark after playing age group football there to accept coach Ricki Herbert's invitation to join the All Whites in South Africa where he quickly became the target of scouts.

Reid, who was born in Auckland but went to Denmark as a 10-year-old with his mother and stepfather, follows Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne and Tal Ben Haim as players signed by Grant for the new season.

Reid is the sixth New Zealander to be signed by an EPL club following Lee Norfolk, Danny Hay, Ryan Nelsen, Simon Elliott and Chris Wood into arguably the world's toughest club competition.

Nelsen (at Blackburn Rovers) and Wood (at promoted West Brom) could well play against Reid this season.

Already there have been suggestions the West Ham fans want to see him in action as soon as possible. Their opening match is away to Aston Villa next Saturday. Their second match is at home to Bolton Wanderers.

TOP PLAYERS
NZ players in the Premier League:
* Lee Norfolk(Ipswich Town) 1994-97(3 games)
* Danny Hay (Leeds United) 1999-2002 (4)
* Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn ) 2005 (143)
* Simon Elliott (Fulham) 2006-08 (12)
* Chris Wood (West Brom) 2008-09 (2)
* Winston Reid (West Ham) 2010