Winston Reid said a familiarity with West Ham and the club's vision and positive attitude were the deciding factors in him signing a massive contract extension with the English Premier League outfit.

Reid confirmed a six-and-a-half year deal that is reported to earn him around $130,000 a week, as he charged with leading West Ham's defence into a new era.

The deal ended months of speculation and saw him resist overtures from glamour clubs like Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool.

READ MORE:

* Reid signs lucrative West Ham contract

* Reid: No excuses for racism in football

* Allardyce to 'torture' Reid for answer

Reid explained his decision on fanzbookz.com where he writes a regular column.

"There were a lot of factors that I took into account when I was making my decision, but most importantly I felt that I was valued at the club - we will be improving in future seasons and I really feel at home here," Reid, the 26-year-old All Whites skipper, said.

"With regards the decision that I've had to make, I had to be sure that it was going to be a place that I was going to be for the next few years of my life, so I have to feel at home and I feel welcome here. I enjoy living in London and my family is settled so that was the most important thing I had to think about."

Reid apologised to his fans about the drawn out process but said it was unavoidable and his long silence on the matter was because of the sensitivity of the situation.

He likes the vision of the club and though they have slipped to 10th on the EPL table with a poor streak in the new year, Reid senses they are a side on the rise.

"Speaking to the chairman it was clear that the club is on the up, we've been getting better this year but we were realistic about the club and where it's at currently - there's a lot that we can still improve on, and that was the main thing.'

"As long as we all work hard to improve ourselves each day we will get better, and that was the main objective - we want to get the club further up the league and I'm sure that we will in the coming years.

"I'm looking forward to the next six years of my life. With the club, I'm looking forward to exciting times ahead and hoping to be a big part of it.

"I came here in a sticky period – the first year we got relegated, but since then it's gradually got better. The team has improved, the organisation as a club has improved as well and we need to do that if we want to go places.

"I've grown massively over that time too. Coming here five years ago I was only a young kid, but now I'm kind of a Londoner I guess! It's a second home for me and I'm delighted."

West Ham's imminent move to the revamped Olympic Stadium was also a motivation for him to stay at West Ham, a club he joined in 2010 and has made 121 first team appearances.

"Moving to the Olympic Stadium was a big factor for me in staying at the club, but it wasn't the deciding part of the deal - it was just one of many positive points. I'm looking forward to playing there, and it's going to be a massive opportunity for us as players and fans of the club to move to such a great facility.

"The deciding factor for me really was where I felt at home and how settled I felt with my family - I am happy here at the club and I wasn't going to stay here if I wasn't happy - it took a bit of time but I'm glad we got there in the end."