EXCLUSIVE

David Sullivan is probably more delighted than anyone else to have signed Winston Reid to a monster six and a half year deal.

The process – often torturous – has dragged on for months with Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool regularly linked with the player.

In the meantime the player has received plenty of abuse as national newspapers did their utmost to fuel the Kiwi defender’s exit.

But patient Sullivan simply kept his head down and got on with the job of concluding possibly the toughest and most convoluted deal in club history.

It all came together this week and the co chairman in his first public proclamation on the deal spoke exclusively to ClaretandHugh to express his delight.

He said: “I’ve been working on this deal for several months and I’m really pleased I’ve managed to conclude a deal which I think is a good one both for Winston and the club.

“In terms of his position hes still a young man and I think there is still improvement in him.”