Football: Winston Reid confirms signs new West Ham deal

West Ham may have to resort to desperate measures to retain in-demand defender Winston Reid. Photo / Getty

All Whites defender Winston Reid has signed a new deal at the English Premier League club West Ham, after months of speculation that he was leaving the club.

The 26-year-old has signed a six and a half year deal that will see him at the London club until 2021.

Reid has been linked to a number of top flight clubs throughout the English Premier League campaign and, with the All Whites captain off contract at the end of the season, West Ham have been eager to lock up their prized asset.

Even as recent as January manager Sam Allardyce said it was 'highly unlikely' the New Zealander would be at the club next season.

"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," Reid said.

"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."

Yesterday Allardyce joked about bringing in Jack Bauer, a torturer of television show '24' fame, to conduct the negotiations.

"Winston has an exceptionally good offer on the table," Allardyce told Skysports.com. "But he won't make a decision to reject it and say, 'no, I am not staying' or 'yes, I will take it and I will stay'. We cannot get a decision out of him.

"Unless we torture him - we could do cocktail sticks under the nails or ring up Jack Bauer and I'm sure he could get the answer out of him."

Reid has become an integral member of West Ham's defence since joining the London side from Danish team FC Midtjylland in 2010, making 131 appearances and scoring six goals.

The defender has made 27 appearances this season to help West Ham into the top half of the Premier League table, though they are without a win in five games ahead of Thursday's clash with leaders Chelsea.