Winston: ” I feel comfortable here”

Winston Reid has – as expected – signed a six-and-a-half-year deal.

After the news was tweeted by Goal.com man Graham Bailey last night ClaretandHugh revealed the club would be announcing it formally today and the news is now all over the official website as expected.

The deal – completely out of left field after days of negotiations between the player, his agent and co chairman David Sullivan – keeps the 26-year-old at the club until the summer of 2021.

The New Zealand international would leave the club at the end of the season on a free transfer, but Reid has never mentioned anything of that nature.

And speaking to the club website, the defender 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,” he added.

Since joining the Hammers in August 2010, Reid has made 132 appearances, scoring seven goals.