Reading have signed Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia on a season long loan. Portuguese Virginia is just 19 years old and comes to Reading without making an appearance for Everton so far after a year at the club. Last season he spent the season in goal for the Everton Under 23 side who won the league with Virginia keeping some vital clean sheets.
Virginia has played for Portugal's Under 17s, Under 19s, and Under 21s. His time playing club youth football was spent at Benfica before a move to Arsenal's youth set-up in 2015. He appears to be well known to Reading boss Jose Gomes who is expecting the young keeper to compete for the position of first choice goalkeeper. He comes to Reading fully expecting to play the first senior football of his career and it should be a great opportunity to both Reading and the player, after learning his trade at some of the biggest clubs in the game.
Goalkeeper Virginia Signs On Season Long Loan
From the Discussion
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SF Silver Fox 5 Jul 2019 · 2:15pm
I shall be calling you Joey Vagina, welcome to the club
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HO Hound 5 Jul 2019 · 2:29pm
hmm 19 year old, without a league appearance as first choice keeper? Brave move if so Definitely Southwood out the door if true
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HE Hendo 5 Jul 2019 · 2:33pm
Good upbringing though, both for the domestic clubs he has been attached to and playing in every unders team for Portugal.
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RR retro royal 5 Jul 2019 · 2:42pm
Think I'd rather have given Southwood a chance rather than a young loan player with less first team experience,
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ZI Zip 5 Jul 2019 · 2:45pm
+1. Very harsh on Southwood.
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SU Sutekh 5 Jul 2019 · 2:50pm
Not sure I get this one but presumably JG and his team know all about him and are confident in what he can do and clearly must rate him higher than any of the other keepers at the club.
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HO Hound 5 Jul 2019 · 2:55pm
yeah, quick google suggests he is a talented keeper, and looked like he did quite well at U23 level last season
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RR retro royal 5 Jul 2019 · 3:39pm
Lian Driscoll possibly off to Yeovil on loan
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AN andrew1957 5 Jul 2019 · 4:40pm
This seems an odd move to me. It would be pointless bring him in other than as number 1 - as we had Southwood et al that could have taken the number 2/3 role and plenty of Academy keepers and so if true we must be bringing in as first choice. Would seem a big risk as he has zero league starts and he is less experience than say Southwood.
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SR Snowflake Royal 5 Jul 2019 · 5:12pm
Yes. Club that is consistently producing good youth keepers releases two and signs someone else's on loan. Itd be bonkers if Ward and Southwood go with this guy coming in, No 1 or not.
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ZI Zip 5 Jul 2019 · 5:21pm
Is he going to be first choice? I was thinking he was going to be third choice behind Walker with another keeper coming in. It’s a huge gamble if this guy is our number one.