Tiago Ilori Officially Completes Move To Reading

18 January 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Tiago Ilori has finally - and officially - completed his move to Reading FC. His transfer had been expected to complete "tomorrow" every day over the past two weeks, but he has finally been unveiled as a Reading player this morning. The 23 year old central defender has signed a three and a half year contract with Reading and signs for an undisclosed fee that is believed to be worth over £3.5 million to Liverpool.

Ilori signed for Liverpool in September 2013 from Sporting Lisbon but failed to make an impact for the club after failing to appear in the Premier League. The player has been restricted to just three FA Cup appearances - which all came last season. He featured in a 2-2 draw with Exeter, a 3-0 replay win at Anfield, before Liverpool were dumped out of the cup at the hands of West Ham United. Before that he had loan spells at Granada, Bordeux and Aston Villa - but failed to make a competitive appearance with the Villians.

Yesterday Gareth McCleary fought his way through promotional cans of Carabao to put pen to paper and extend his contract for a further three years. McCleary's contract was set to expire in the summer and he was widely expected to be on his way out of the club. His new contract came as a bit of a surprise but it great news as Reading look set to keep this squad together during this transfer window and extend it with the addition of Ilori.

See also:

Tiago Ilori Set To Sign From Liverpool

Tiago Ilori has finally - and officially - completed his move to Reading FC. His transfer had been expected to complete "tomorrow" every day over the past two weeks, but he has finally been unveiled as a Reading player this morning. The 23 year old central defender has signed a three and a half year contract with Reading and signs for an undisclosed fee that is believed to be worth over £3.5 million to Liverpool.
 
Ilori signed for Liverpool in September 2013 from Sporting Lisbon but failed to make an impact for the club after failing to appear in the Premier League. The player has been restricted to just three FA Cup appearances - which all came last season. He featured in a 2-2 draw with Exeter, a 3-0 replay win at Anfield, before Liverpool were dumped out of the cup at the hands of West Ham United. Before that he had loan spells at Granada, Bordeux and Aston Villa - but failed to make a competitive appearance with the Villians.
 
Yesterday Gareth McCleary fought his way through promotional cans of Carabao to put pen to paper and extend his contract for a further three years. McCleary's contract was set to expire in the summer and he was widely expected to be on his way out of the club. His new contract came as a bit of a surprise but it great news as Reading look set to keep this squad together during this transfer window and extend it with the addition of Ilori.
 
See also:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.royals.org/news/612/Tiago_Ilori_Set_To_Sign_From_Liverpool">Tiago Ilori Set To Sign From Liverpool</a></li>
</ul>

Discussion On This Story:

royalp-we

» 05 Jan 2017 00:18

Both Daily Mail & The Guardian reporting we are trying to loan the Liverpool defender, with option to buy at the end of season.

George_

» 05 Jan 2017 08:14

That'll be Cooper sent out on loan then if it happens.
Probably for the best to go get game time and hopefully learn from mistakes he's made with us in the past.

LoyalRoyal22

» 05 Jan 2017 08:21

Would be really happy with this. He is comfortable on the ball & I am pretty certain he is left footed, would give the back four better balance.

Hound

» 05 Jan 2017 08:33

would make sense this one - similar situation to Blackett I suppose - young player not deemed good enough for the Prem
was very highly rated a few years back

Sutekh

» 05 Jan 2017 09:11

Isnt he the Portuguese guy who was actually born in London and whom the FA have been trying to convince to switch allegiance to England?
Certainly be a coup if we persuaded him to come to the Mad Stad, cost Liverpool about £7m three years ago I think so might well be coming to the end of his current deal?

Stranded

» 05 Jan 2017 09:21

So assuming there is truth in this - he is a centre half isn't he? Would be surprised if he came on loan to sit on the bench, so who drops out?

genome

» 05 Jan 2017 09:40

I was under the impression he was terrible?

royalp-we

» 05 Jan 2017 09:47

Could be another Carrico... But could just as easily be another Upson.
Ilori has simply been used as a cup player for them, so may be worth looking at Liverpool v Plymouth on Sunday.

genome

» 05 Jan 2017 12:34

Squawka are saying it's permanent (£2m bid) but Liverpool want £5m.

LoyalRoyal22

» 05 Jan 2017 12:48

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-agree-375m-deal-defender-12409825
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

George_

» 05 Jan 2017 12:52

*TAKEOVER KLAXON*

LoyalRoyal22

» 05 Jan 2017 12:59

Must mean the the takeover is imminent if we are breaking our record transfer fee. Glad the direction is still the same, younger players with potential to grow.
This lad would fit in perfectly on the left side of the back three, or at the back with Moore.
The defence should find it much easier to play out.

kwik-silva

» 05 Jan 2017 13:21

Don't know anything about him so take my opinion with the pinch of salt it deserves but I'm always uneasy when break our transfer record. Especially considering he couldn't get a game at Villa last season.

LumpWarden

» 05 Jan 2017 13:23

bit more here;
http://www.thisisanfield.com/2017/01/liverpool-agree-sell-tiago-ilori-reading-3-75-million/

Slater1993

» 05 Jan 2017 13:25

If we have that amount to spend on a defender, why a completely unproven 23 year old who couldn't get a game for Villa last season. Won't believe it until it's done.

Hendo

» 05 Jan 2017 13:26

After the Moore transfer saga and how that has played out over the last few months, if Jaap wants a defender, I am going to trust his judgement.
Long-term McShane replacement, I would've thought.

George_

» 05 Jan 2017 13:32

----------------------------AAH--------------------------
----------McShane----Moore------Ilori---------
Gunter---------------------------------------------Obita

Stranded

» 05 Jan 2017 13:33

I wouldn't take anything away from Villa's ridiculous season last year tbh. Probably better for him he didn't play.

Slater1993

» 05 Jan 2017 13:39

RichTea94

» 05 Jan 2017 13:53

Fun fact: he holds the Sporting Lisbon youth sprint record- previously held by a certain C. Ronaldo and Nani.

bracksroyal10

» 05 Jan 2017 13:59

If it happens this would be a very clever bit of business by Jaap
Will be comfortable on the ball being a Rodgers signing and I think can play cb and also cdm.
I think VDB is very suspect on the ball in midfield at times so may be a place in there for Tiago but it would be harsh on Evans.
If it's a 3.75 mil deal, he won't have been purchased to sit on the bench

Hound

» 05 Jan 2017 14:01

Surprised we would pay as much, but potentially a very good player
GetReading suggests the fee is a lower than reported though.

Stranded

» 05 Jan 2017 14:06

LoyalRoyal22

» 05 Jan 2017 14:18

Article by the getReading deputy editor, in the absence of Charles. So must be concrete.
I guess we will find out roughly what we have paid if the club announces it as a record fee or not

Victor Meldrew

» 05 Jan 2017 14:41

If ever a manager can recognise a decent centre-back it should be our man.

So far he has bought in the excellent Moore and the not-so-great Blackett, although in the case of the latter it looks as though Stam sees him as a left of 3, an orthodox left-back or as a wing-back.I wonder if he doesn't see him as a true centre-back.

This Liverpool lad is very good on the ball (fits the Stam mould) but hasn't looked the strongest but a bit of Stam DNA might turn him into what we need.

Good to see that we might be spending a bit of money for a play-off push as, although we might not be ready yet for promotion, these opportunities need to be grabbed whenever they come around as they don't always.
I am trying to remember if we have ever signed anybody from Liverpool post-war but nobody comes readily to mind apart from Jack Whittham who I don't think we signed directly from them.

Sutekh

» 05 Jan 2017 14:56

I wouldn't take anything away from Villa's ridiculous season last year tbh. Probably better for him he didn't play.

Ok but in last season and a half he has only played 3 competitive games (FA Cup), he's 24 in feb, seems to not lived up to his potential.

Point of order. There is a slight difference between living up to potential at Liverpool and living up to potential at Reading. You could also argue that Moore wasn't living up to his potential at Leicester.
Ilori should know this country's football very well and be the right match for our current system given his years on the continent. Also it's Jaap Stam and his team that has identified him as the right player and who could there be better than being able to spot a central defender. On top of that his English should be excellent and should be raring to prove himself.
On top of that he's apparently quick and would give us the cover we need if Moore or McShane are out as well as allow us to comfortably play three at the back rather than looking quite so dodgy with Berg or Blackett in there. It makes further sense when you understand that Stam primarily sees Blackett as a left back.
If he does arrive let's hope he looks as talented as Carrico did for the brief period he was here.
The deal value is less that £3.75m according to the EP but it could still be a record fee. I suspect though it's something like £2m down with more payable on promotion, appearances plus a sell on fee etc.
Lastly, is this the first ever loan or permanent transfer dealing directly between Reading and Liverpool in either direction? The only other I can think of was Jack Witham who was here for a few games in around 1975 but think that was a loan from Cardiff or something.

wingnut

» 05 Jan 2017 15:51

J Lo reporting it as done deal. Having medical now, apparently.

genome

» 05 Jan 2017 15:53

From our Jonathan:
Tiago Ilori undergoing a medical and agreeing personal terms today ahead of a move to #readingfc from #lfc
Fee of £3.75m for Ilori would be the complete package (add-ons etc) so the upfront figure would be far lower #readingfc

Hendo

» 05 Jan 2017 15:54

Pretty much done then. Into the squad in time for Saturday?

seahawk10

» 05 Jan 2017 17:09

Is he cup tied? I would love to see him get a run out vs. United.

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