Headline Writers Joy As Hope Signs

09 January 2013
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Headline writers were handed an easy bonus as midfielder Hope Akpan signed for relegation threatened Reading FC. He will already to familiar to some Reading fans - Akpan signed from League One Crawley Town just a few days after Reading completed a 3-1 away victory over the side in the third round of the FA Cup. Akpan signs on a three and a half year contract and for a transfer fee of 400,000 pounds. The player is just 21 having signed for Crawley after being a trainee at Premiership Everton. He made a single competitive appearance for Everton coming off the bench to play the last ten minutes of a Europa League fixture in December 2009. A brief loan spell at Hull City was followed up by a free transfer to Crawley in June 2011, where he went on to make 46 starts and score 8 goal.

Akpan becomes Reading's second recent signing after the confirmation of Daniel Carrico's transfer following weeks of rumour. Carrico signed for 600,000 from Sporting Lisbon, meaning the Royals have already splashed out a cool one million pounds on transfer fees to strenghten the side, in what is going to be a tough battle against relegation. Carrico is primarily a central defender but had also played in midfield and has bags of experience after making 100 starts for Sporting Lisbon over six years with the club.

Both Akpan and Carrico will be available for selection this weekend as Reading continue their Premier League campaign with West Bromwich Albion visiting the Madejski Stadium.

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