All Whites star to sign with West Ham - report

All Whites World Cup hero Winston Reid is about to sign a lucrative deal with English Premier League side West Ham United, according to a report.

West Ham released a statement overnight saying the club was recruiting "a young international who represented his country with distinction at the 2010 FIFA World Cup" and that they hoped to have the deal finalised "within the next 72 hours".

3 News said it was understood the player is All Whites defender Winston Reid, the 22-year-old who became an instant hero when he scored the equalising goal in the All Whites' first World Cup match against Slovakia.

Reid wouldn't comment when contacted by 3 News, but the broadcaster cited "sources" as saying West Ham courted Reid after his impressive World Cup performance.

Since then, according to 3 News, a deal has been struck between West Ham and Reid's Danish club F Midjylland.

Reid reportedly now has only to agree personal terms and complete a medical before signing with the east London club.

The young athlete has lived in Denmark since his Kiwi mother and Danish stepfather moved the family there when he was 10.

If the deal goes ahead, Reid would become just the sixth New Zealander to play in the English Premier League, reported 3 News.

All Whites skipper Ryan Nelsen, who captains the Blackburn Rovers, and West Bromwich Albion's Chris Wood are the only Kiwis who currently play in the Premier League, widely considered the world's most prestigious football competition.

- NZ Herald staff