Royals Complete Ferdinand Signing

11 August 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have today completed the signing of defender Anton Ferdinand on a two year contract. Ferdinand was expected to sign for Samrit Bunditkitsada's Thai side Police United but instead signed for the Royals, after problems with his registration in Thailand. Although the majority takeover of Reading FC by the Thai consortium has still yet to officially complete, it seems clear that Bunditkitsada and his partners are already involved with the club and its finances. After months of uncertainty some form of stability appears to be returning to Reading Football Club just in time for the new campaign.

Ferdinand spent last season in Turkey after leaving QPR in the summer of 2013 after failing to hold his first team place. He then managed only three appearances last season at Antalyaspor, two draws and a defeat, and appears to have a lot to prove. His last competitive game was in September 2013. At only 29 he will hope to get back to the form that saw him sign for Sunderland for eight million pounds from West Ham in 2008.

After seeing ten players leave the club, the Royals eventually made their first signings last week with former Royal Simon Cox and Jamie Mackie (loan signing) joining the club from Nottingham Forest. Cox played nine times for the Royals in his first spell at the club, and never started, but will expect to play a big part after successful spells at Swindon, West Brom and Nottingham Forest. Forest paid two million pounds for his services in August 2012. Reading followed up the good news that they had at last strengthened the squad by a good performance at Wigan, drawing 2-2 on Saturday, although they deserved the full three points.

It seems unlikely that Ferdinand will feature in Reading's League Cup fixture against Newport County at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow night as he claims he is still "lacking match fitness". When Ferdinand, and the manager, think he is ready for action he is going to find it very hard to work his way into the starting eleven with Reading's defence the least of their problems.

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