Ryan Nelsen has heaped praise on West Ham United for tying down Winston Reid to a new contract.
The New Zealand international, 26, signed a six-and-a-half-year deal on Wednesday to pledge his allegiance to the Hammers despite being a target for the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.
Former Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham and QPR defender Nelsen, who is a former All Whites teammate of Reid, believes the east London outfit have done a brilliant job in securing the powerful centre-half for the foreseeable future.
"I think West Ham have had a fantastic year this season for Sam and the ownership have got a new stadium to come and their fans are amazing," Nelsen told Sky Sports News HQ.
"There is a huge history at the club and they want to go places and this is a real statement to sign an absolute quality defender, proven in the Premier League and he will there obviously for his career now. It's exciting for both parties.
"Obviously there is no hiding place in this league and it takes a bit of time. For Winston, what was great about him is that year they had in the Championship, I think he's learned his trade there and every year he has gone up and up. He's only 26 and he's still probably not as his prime.
"It's an absolutely fantastic signing, especially since I think in the market it's very hard to find proven quality centre-backs, for relatively low cost and in terms of not having to pay for a transfer and getting him on a six and-a-half year deal."
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