Winston Reid facts for kids
Reid warming up for West Ham United in 2014
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Winston Wiremu Reid | ||
| Date of birth | 3 July 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.91 m | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1992–1998 | Takapuna | ||
| –2004 | SUB Sønderborg | ||
| 2004–2008 | Midtjylland | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2005–2010 | Midtjylland | 84 | (2) |
| 2010–2021 | West Ham United | 194 | (9) |
| 2020 | → Sporting Kansas City (loan) | 10 | (1) |
| 2021 | → Brentford (loan) | 11 | (0) |
| Total | 299 | (12) | |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2007 | Denmark U19 | 4 | (0) |
| 2008 | Denmark U20 | 1 | (0) |
| 2008–2010 | Denmark U21 | 10 | (0) |
| 2021 | New Zealand Olympic (O.P.) | 3 | (0) |
| 2010–2022 | New Zealand | 33 | (1) |
† Appearances (Goals). |
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Winston Wiremu Reid (born 3 July 1988) is a former professional footballer from New Zealand. He is best known for playing as a defender for the English club West Ham United. He also had the honor of being the captain for the New Zealand national team. Before joining West Ham, he played for FC Midtjylland in Denmark. Later in his career, he also played on loan for Sporting Kansas City and Brentford.
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Early Life and Football Beginnings
Winston Reid was born in North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand. Both of his parents have Māori family roots. He started playing football at just four years old with a local club called Takapuna. When he was 10, Winston moved from New Zealand to Denmark with his mother and Danish stepfather. Even after moving, he stayed in touch with his father and family back in New Zealand.
Club Career Highlights
Playing for FC Midtjylland
Winston Reid joined the youth team of SUB Sønderborg. In 2004, at 16, he moved to the academy of Danish Superliga club FC Midtjylland. He was one of the first players to come through their special football academy. He even helped their Under-19 team win their first Danish championship.
In November 2005, when he was 17, Reid signed a professional contract with FC Midtjylland. He made his first team debut in a tournament match that same month. His first league game was on 27 November 2005. He played in nine games during his first season.
Over the next few seasons, Reid faced some injuries but continued to develop. He signed a contract extension in 2007, keeping him at Midtjylland until 2012.
Becoming a Regular Player
By the 2008–09 season, Reid became a regular player in the starting team. He scored his first goal for the club in a UEFA Cup match on 17 July 2008. He also scored his first league goal in March 2009. By the end of that season, he had played in 29 games and scored three goals.
Reid continued to be a key player for Midtjylland in the 2009–10 season. He played in the Danish Cup Final in May 2010, but his team lost 2–0. He made 32 appearances that season. After his time at Midtjylland, fans even named him one of the club's "Best Eleven" players.
Time at West Ham United
Winston Reid joined West Ham United on 5 August 2010. He signed a three-year contract. He made his first Premier League appearance on 14 August 2010.
First Season and Relegation
After his debut, Reid sometimes found himself on the substitute bench. However, he started to play more regularly from November 2010. He scored his first goal for West Ham in an FA Cup match on 21 February 2011. He dedicated this goal to the people affected by the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. In his first season, West Ham was relegated to the Championship (the league below the Premier League). He played 12 games that season.
Promotion Back to Premier League
For the 2011–12 season, Reid stayed with West Ham. He became a key player in the defense under the new manager, Sam Allardyce. He scored his first league goal for West Ham in August 2011. Despite some injuries, he helped West Ham win the Championship Play-offs at Wembley Stadium. This meant West Ham was promoted back to the Premier League after just one season! He played 33 games and scored three goals that season.
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Becoming a Key Player and Captain
In the 2012–13 season, Reid chose to stay with West Ham instead of playing for New Zealand in the London Olympics. He scored his first Premier League goal for the club in September 2012. His strong performances led to him being named the club's "SBOBET Player of the Month" in December.
Reid also had the honor of captaining West Ham for the first time in an FA Cup match against Manchester United. He later became a stand-in captain when other team captains were injured. In May 2013, he signed a new contract. He was also named "Hammer of the Year" for the 2012–13 season, which is a big award from the club's fans. He played 37 games and scored once that season.
Continued Success and Injuries
In the 2013–14 season, Reid scored a goal against rivals Tottenham Hotspur. However, he suffered an ankle injury that needed surgery. He returned to play in February 2014 and helped West Ham stay in the Premier League. He made his 100th appearance for West Ham in April 2014. He played 22 games and scored once that season.
The 2014–15 season saw Reid score an early goal against Liverpool in September 2014. In March 2015, he signed a long new contract with West Ham, showing his commitment to the club. He played 33 games and scored once that season.
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In the 2015–16 season, Reid made his debut in the UEFA Europa League. He continued to face some hamstring injuries but returned to play important matches. On 10 May 2016, Winston Reid made history by scoring the very last goal ever at West Ham's old stadium, Upton Park, in a memorable 3–2 win against Manchester United. He played 30 games and scored once that season.
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For the 2016–17 season, Reid scored two goals for West Ham. He also served a one-match suspension and later became a stand-in captain again. Despite some minor injuries, he played 36 games and scored two goals.
Later Years and Departure
Ahead of the 2017–18 season, Reid signed another contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2023. However, he suffered a serious knee injury in March 2018 that kept him out for the rest of that season and the entire 2018–19 season.
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He made a return to playing in a friendly match in July 2019, but another knee injury kept him out for more months. On 21 September 2021, West Ham announced that Reid had left the club by agreement.
Loan to Sporting Kansas City
On 14 February 2020, Winston Reid joined Sporting Kansas City in the United States on loan. He was excited for a new challenge after his long injury recovery. He played 10 games and scored one goal for them. In December 2020, he returned to West Ham after his loan ended.
Loan to Brentford
On 1 February 2021, Reid joined EFL Championship club Brentford on loan. He made his debut for Brentford just two days later, which was his first senior game in English football since 2018. He played an important role in helping Brentford win the Championship play-off final, which meant they were promoted to the Premier League. His manager, Thomas Frank, praised him as "a giant" for his contribution.
International Career
Playing for Denmark's Youth Teams
Winston Reid received Danish citizenship in 2006. He then played for various Danish youth national teams, including the Under-19 and Under-21 teams.
Representing New Zealand
On 11 March 2010, Reid announced he wanted to play for the New Zealand senior team, also known as the All Whites. He was chosen for New Zealand's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup even though the coach had not seen him play before.
2010 FIFA World Cup
Reid made his international debut in a friendly match against Australia. His second game was a surprise 1–0 win against Serbia. On 15 June 2010, in New Zealand's first game of the 2010 World Cup against Slovakia, Reid scored an amazing equalizing goal in the final moments! This goal secured a draw for New Zealand, giving them their first ever point in a World Cup finals match. New Zealand was later eliminated in the group stage, but Reid said the tournament changed his life.
Captain of the All Whites
After the retirement of former captain Ryan Nelsen in 2013, Winston Reid was named the new captain of the All Whites. His first match as captain was a 2–1 win against New Caledonia.
He continued to represent New Zealand over the years, playing in important matches, including World Cup qualifiers. In July 2021, Reid was part of the New Zealand team at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
In August 2022, Winston Reid announced his retirement from international football. His final games were a series against Australia, with his very last match played on 25 September at Eden Park.
Personal Life
Besides speaking English, Winston Reid is also fluent in Danish. In July 2015, he became a father to twins, Ariana and Damien, with his wife, Yana.
In August 2015, Reid started a football scholarship program at Scots College in New Zealand to help young players. As of August 2022, Winston Reid and his family live in Dubai.
Honours
West Ham United
- Football League Championship play-offs: 2012 (Won promotion to Premier League)
Sporting Kansas City
- MLS Western Conference: 2020 (Won their conference)
Brentford
- EFL Championship play-offs: 2021 (Won promotion to Premier League)
Individual Awards
- Hammer of the Year: 2012–13 (Best player for West Ham, voted by fans)
- NZF Footballer of the Year: 2011, 2014
- NZPFA Players' Player of the Year: 2011 (Best player in New Zealand, voted by players)
- IFFHS OFC Men's Team of the Decade 2011–2020
- IFFHS Oceania Men's Team of All Time: 2021
See also
In Spanish: Winston Reid para niños
- List of sportspeople who competed for more than one nation
Images for kids
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Reid warming up for West Ham United in 2014
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Reid warming up for West Ham United match against Bolton Wanderers on 21 August 2010.
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Reid marking Rowen Muscat during West Ham United's match against Birkirkara in the UEFA Europa League Second Round.
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Reid before West Ham's 2–2 draw with Manchester City, January 2016
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Reid pictured playing for West Ham United during a match against Chelsea in 2017.
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Reid about to mark Manchester United's players during a match on 13 August 2017.
