Ali Al Habsi has been rewarded with his continually consistent performances with a contract extension to keep him at Reading until the summer of 2019. Al Habsi was due to be out of contract in the summer after two years with the club, but the new deal secures the services of Reading's first choice goalkeeper. There were plenty of question marks over, and critical nicknames for, Al Habsi when he arrived as seemingly second choice goalkeeper to Bond who signed at the same time. However Al Habsi more than silenced his critics by becoming Reading's main goalkeeper and deservedly winning the fans vote for player of the season last term.
Al Habsi is currently very much in the running to claim the player of the season award for a second consecutive season. He is currently second, behind Liam Moore, in the Hob Nob Anyone? man of the match voting for the season so far. Al Habsi has been named as man of the match six times so far this season on this website - more than any other player. His best performances came in the early part of the season where there was no doubt his performances earned vital points as the Royals steadied the ship and started their climb up the table.
Talking about Al Habsi committing to a new contract with Reading, Jaap Stam was full of praise for the 35 year old: "As we all know, Ali is a great goalkeeper - a fine shot stopper with good reactions who even at this stage in his career is still improving his game and becoming better and better as a player"
Wigan paid Bolton a four million pound transfer fee in 2011 for the services of Al Habsi and he went on to make well over 100 appearances before signing for Reading after four seasons at Wigan. Al Habsi has made 65 appearances for the Royals since signing - and now looks set for plenty more.
Ali Al Habsi Extends Contract
From the Discussion
-
GE George_ 5 Jan 2017 · 3:56pm
Great news.
-
WO WoodleyRoyal 5 Jan 2017 · 3:58pm
bad move imo, should have been looking to get rid at the end of the season.
-
TB TBM 5 Jan 2017 · 3:59pm
It gives Bond and BeardBloke time to get better though - so not all bad....
-
AT AthleticoSpizz 5 Jan 2017 · 4:00pm
Excellent......don't think that another contract was ever in too much doubt.
-
KS kwik-silva 5 Jan 2017 · 4:02pm
Excellent news - worst that happens is that he drops down to the bench and Anssi or Bond comes in.
-
GE genome 5 Jan 2017 · 4:12pm
Just by-the-by. Ali's Twitter follower count is :shock: The club's highest?
-
RG Royal Ginger 5 Jan 2017 · 4:18pm
Very happy with this. He's done his job well since he got over his wobble at the beginning of last season.
-
HE Hendo 5 Jan 2017 · 4:18pm
National hero in Oman though. Good deal for the club, if a new keeper does come in/Jakola becomes 1st choice, I would be very confident with AAH as a number 2 to come in for injuries/cup games.
-
SF Silver Fox 5 Jan 2017 · 4:20pm
adds WoodleyRoyal to list of posters whose opinions can be ignored
-
WR Woodcote Royal 5 Jan 2017 · 4:23pm
Meanwhile, back on planet earth, only the unhinged amongst us will not be thanking their lucky stars that last years player of the season has agreed to stay. No one has come close to this guy since Marcus.
-
FD From Despair To Where? 5 Jan 2017 · 4:30pm
To be honest, I thought he'd move on but his form has been excellent and he's a good influence within the squad so pretty positive news.
-
RO RoyalBlue 5 Jan 2017 · 4:35pm
As an all round keeper who would have been much more suited to our build from the back style, Federici did. McCarthy was also an excellent keeper but suffered a similar weakness to AAH when it came to passing and kicking a football. That having been said, pleased to see AAH commit albeit that he may well be the reserve keeper next year, particularly if we were to get promoted. Incidentally, I think there sadly may be reasons (not of his doing/making), other than his footballing ability, that prevent Bond from fulfilling his full potential.