Source: Team_Talk
Hammers swoop for Kiwi World Cup star
West Ham have completed the signing of New Zealand defender Winston Reid for an undisclosed fee from Danish outfit FC Midtjylland.[LNB] Reid, one of the stars of his country's unbeaten World Cup campaign, has joined on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[LNB]The 22-year-old, who passed a medical on Thursday, is the Hammers' fifth summer signing, following in the footsteps of Thomas Hitzlsperger, Pablo Barrera, Frederic Piquionne and Tal Ben Haim.[LNB]Reid, who can play centre-half or right-back, put himself in the shop window this summer when he scored a dramatic late equaliser in New Zealand's World Cup opener against Slovakia.[LNB]He also helped his country secure impressive draws with Italy and Paraguay but those results were not enough to see them progress to the last 16.[LNB]He spent the last five seasons with Midtjylland and cannot wait to test himself in the Premier League.[LNB]"I am looking forward to getting started," he told the Hammers' website.[LNB]"My dream has been to come and play in the Premier League and I am happy that I am a West Ham player.[LNB]"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 now. I am pretty decent fitness-wise. I had a game last Sunday so I am in pretty good nick."[LNB]Reid, who is of Maori heritage, moved to Denmark at the age of 10 and represented them up to under-21 level before switching allegiance to his native New Zealand shortly before the World Cup.[LNB]He added: "The World Cup was a life-changing experience and something I will remember forever.[LNB]"I want to bring the positives from that here on the pitch at West Ham.[LNB]"This club has great history and the league is one of the best in the world. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead."
