10 July 2016
By Hob Nob Anyone?
This summer is starting to follow a similar pattern as key players continue to leave the club to be replaced with cheaper options. The departure of Aaron Tshibola to Championship side Aston Villa for five million pounds was confirmed this weekend. It is a huge disappointment to see such a big prospect exit the club, but there is nothing the club can do to stop talented players like Tshibola leaving when big money offers come in. The player was clearly determined to leave for a "bigger club" and five million pounds is the kind of money the Royals were never going to turn down when money is so tight.
Tshibola signs with Villa on a four year contract, which is clearly a great deal for the player and absolutely the right move for him. He will will link up with Steve Clarke who is now assistant manager at the just-relegated club, and obviously had a very high opinion of the player from his time with the Royals. Tshibola is a player on the up after establishing himself as a first pick for the Royals this season and having a great season when the Royals were generally struggling.
After releasing a number of players, and following the return of loanees at the end of the season, the squad is currently looking a bit light as Stam looks to strengthen on the cheap with the limited funds the club will allow him.
Forward player Jospeh Mendes became Reading's third summer signing last week, arriving at the club from second division French side Le Havre, and signing a two year contract. Mendes breaks the trend of the flow in of Dutch players, having being born and played most of his football in France. Having arrived in Le Havre two years ago, he went on to make 59 appearances for the club and scored 11 goals before his move to Reading.
Mendes follows the signing of Dutch midfielder Joey van den Berg, which completed on 1 July. Joey van den Berg, 30 years old also signed a two year deal. The only other signing so far this summer was fellow Dutch player Danzell Gravenberch who was confirmed as an early summer signing. It is seems clear that new manager Jaap Stam will need to find further players to strengthen what looks like a squad that will seriously struggle in the Championship this season.
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