Rufer, Nelsen hail Reid’s ‘amazing career’ in EPL

All Whites greats Wynton Rufer and Ryan Nelsen have hailed Winston Reid’s ‘‘incredible’’ English Premier League career and believe he can still be a major factor in New Zealand’s upcoming World Cup campaign.

Reid, 33, left West Ham United this week by mutual consent after 11 years at the London club.

New Zealand has had a Premier League presence since Nelsen joined Blackburn Rovers in 2005, with Reid moving to West Ham from Denmark after starring in the All Whites side Nelsen led at the 2010 World Cup finals.

Nelsen believed Reid – who played 166 top flight games for the Hammers – was ‘‘one of the best centrebacks in the EPL’’ before injuries ended his run in 2018.

‘‘To be able to play and then captain an EPL team for 11 years is just an incredible achievement,’’ Nelsen, a centreback himself, said.

‘‘Reidy was a colossus in defence. His athleticism, consistency and leadership made him one of the best centrebacks in the EPL over a number of years.

‘‘Unfortunately a run of injuries halted him when he was playing some of his best football, but I know several of the so-called big clubs were very close to signing him, which shows what an impact he had when he played.

‘‘He will be loved at West Ham forever not just for his on-field abilities but what he did around the locker room and the community.’’

Nelsen – who played his last Premier League game for Queen’s Park Rangers in 2013, aged 35 – believed ‘‘Reidy still has a few great years ahead, but this may be a really good time to reset and start a new adventure’’.

Reid did not play a first-team game for West Ham after a serious knee injury in 2018, but he played for the All Whites against the Republic of Ireland in 2019 and captained the New Zealand OlyWhites at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games following loan spells at Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City and English Championship side Brentford.

He took over as All Whites captain after Nelsen retired, and Nelsen believes Reid still has something to offer at international level.

‘‘He will be a major contributor in the run-in for the World Cup for the All Whites, and with so much young talent coming through his experience will be invaluable,’’ Nelsen said.

Rufer – a European Cup Winners Cup champion with German club Werder Bremen in 1992 – also expressed hope that Reid would still be around for ‘‘one last shot at glory’’ with the All Whites in the 2022 Qatar World Cup campaign.

‘‘He’s had an amazing career in the Premier League,’’ said Rufer.

‘‘Winston, Chris Wood and Ryan have been trailblazers for New Zealand footballers in the Premier League.

‘‘Winston’s been a good story for Ma¯ori, as well. He’s shown the possibilities.’’

Rufer said it was ‘‘a real shame’’ that Reid had been hit by injuries at a time when he was ‘‘all guns blazing’’ at West Ham.

‘‘He’s been a good solid centreback, and a good leader.’’

While it was disappointing that Reid did not get to lead the All Whites to the 2014 or 2018 World Cup finals, Rufer hoped the central defender ‘‘will get another club soon’’ and devote his energies to the next World Cup campaign.

West Ham reached an agreement with Reid to terminate his six-year contract – signed in 2017 for a reported £70,000 (NZ$135,000) a week. It was not due to expire until mid2023.