West Ham United have confirmed centre-back Winston Reid has joined Major League Soccer side Sporting Kansas City on loan.
The 31-year-old had been sidelined for almost two years after suffering a serious knee injury in March 2018, but did manage to earn himself a spot on the bench in three of West Ham's last seven Premier League games.
First touches in the #SportingKC crest for @WinstonReid2.#SKCPreseason // @ChildrensMercy pic.twitter.com/EIxcxpKUXs
— Sporting KC (@SportingKC) February 15, 2020
With minutes in the team hard to come by for Reid, West Ham took to their official website to note that the defender has left for Sporting Kansas City, where it is hoped that he will be able to recover his match fitness after such a long spell on the treatment table.
He is the club's second-longest serving player, behind only captain Mark Noble, and he holds a special place in the hearts of West Ham fans for being the man to net the final goal at Upton Park in a 3-2 win over Manchester United back in May 2016.
Reid joined the club back in 2010 from Danish side Midtjylland and, after a disappointing debut campaign, managed to establish himself as a vital part of the Hammers' side.
He has racked up 223 appearances in all competitions and would likely have had many more, only for his knee injury to rob him of two years of his career.
He remains under contract with West Ham until 2023, so the Hammers will certainly be watching his progression closely in the hope that he is able to rediscover his best form while out with the MLS side.
Kansas, who also have former Derby County winger Johnny Russell on their books, finished 11th out of 12 teams in the Western Conference last season, so they will be hope to see Reid's influence help steer them up the table.
It has been a similarly disappointing campaign for West Ham this year. David Moyes' side currently sit 18th in the Premier League and are without a league win since a 4-0 victory over Bournemouth on New Year's Day.
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Source : 90min