Chalobah Joins On Loan From Chelsea

22 January 2015
By Hob Nob Anyone?

It's been a busy day in the transfer market for Reading Football Club today. Earlier this morning it was confirmed that Slovenian defender Jure Travner had completed his moving to Reading on a short term contract until the end of the season. That was followed up by news that Craig Tanner will be joining League Two side AFC Wimbledon on loan until the end of the season. There was more good news for Tanner as he also signed a new contract with Reading FC to keep him at the club for another two and half years.

That flurry of activity was then followed up by the confirmation that the Royals have captured Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah on loan until the end of the current season.

Chalobah is just twenty years old but has already built up a decent career record. He has regularly represented his country and is an England under-21 international. Although he hasn't appeared for Chelsea he has enjoyed successful loan spells at Watford, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough. He was also with Premier League side Burnley in a loan spell that ran until the end of December. At Burnley he made four appearances off the bench. It was his loan spell at Watford that began in August 2012 when he made a name for himself as a teenager. He made 38 starts for Watford and hit five goals. He went on to make 13 appearances for Forest and 19 for Middlesbrough.

Reading manager Steve Clarke spoke of his delight at securing Chalobah's services on loan: "Nathaniel is a good young player who I have known about and followed for some time. He burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old when he was part of the Watford team that narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League in 2012-13. Since that season, he has gained experience at other clubs and now feels that Reading is the right club to further his development as a player and we are delighted that he has chosen us ahead of anyone else. He will certainly enhance our already strong midfield department with his qualities. We welcome Nathaniel to the club and look forward to him playing his part in a more successful second half to the season."

Chalobah is described as a versatile player who has also played in defence. He should be available for selection this weekend as the Royals travel to Cardiff City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

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