Following a professional career in Denmark, England, and the United States, 34-year-old Winston Reid is winding down his tenure in football and living the good life in Dubai, UAE.
The former New Zealand international was, perhaps, underrated during his time with West Ham and again when assisting Brentford in their promotion to the Premier League.
Winston Reid: the history
Despite Winston Reid’s quiet end to his football career, unforgettable memories live on.
Most notably, the moment when he scored West Ham’s winning goal against Manchester United during their final game at the Boleyn Ground (Upton Park) in 2016.
Before his long tenure with the Hammers, Reid was recognized as the man who assisted New Zealand in sealing their first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup final versus Slovakia in South Africa in 2010.
However, fans of the former Premier League standout probably aren’t aware that he grew up in Denmark, where he made 92 appearances for FC Midtjylland before arriving in east London in 2010.
Reid was born in Auckland, New Zealand, but moved to Denmark as a youngster.
With a promising football career ahead, Midtjylland recruited him at the tender age of 16.
At 20 years old, Reid netted his first goal for the Midtjylland first team during a UEFA Cup battle with Bangor in 2008.
His arrival to the Premier League after five years of competing in Denmark wasn’t plain sailing.
West Ham were relegated, however he was an integral part of the defence that assisted the Hammers in an instant return to the EPL the following season.
Reid was long known as a robust centre-back but did shine in midfield for four years at West Ham, the position he played when scoring the legendary goal against Manchester United six years ago.
Unfortunately, Reid’s 2018 season for West Ham would have a detrimental effect following a hard knock versus Swansea City.
Left unconscious, Reid additionally twisted his knee and although he underwent multiple surgeries to fix the problem, he’d never be the same again.
Since that day in March 2018, he would never appear in the West Ham starting line-up again.
The United States and Brentford
Sporting FC Kansas fans wanting to bet in Kansas may have received a brief opportunity to cash a winning bet on Reid.
He moved to the United States in 2020 on loan to Kansas, where he made ten appearances and scored one goal.
While he didn’t significantly impact America, Reid has often played on the team you want to bet on.
When returning to England in 2021, a familiar challenge in the EFL Championship was on the horizon as he joined Thomas Frank’s Brentford squad.
The Bees’ Danish manager praised Reid’s football mind and ability.
The New Zealanders play-off final appearance win over Swansea to assist Brentford into the Premier League was likely the last domestic game of his career.
Reid in 2022
Aged 34, Reid played for New Zealand in their 2022 World Cup qualification loss to Costa Rica in June.
This loss prevented Reid from having the chance to end his international career at this winter’s World Cup in Qatar.
Eleven years at West Ham saw Reid earn the second-most appearances in the club’s history, and 12 months following his departure from the club, he called time on his 12-year international career.
Multiple teams worldwide have shown interest in Reid’s services, but he seems content being a family man in Dubai.
Reid was approached by New Zealand side Phoenix, as head coach Ufuk Talay was interested in bringing the All-Whites skipper to the A-League.
But when questioned about the proposition following his final appearance in New Zealand, his priorities have changed.
Featured image credit: Egghead06 via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 4.0 licence
