31 January 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Oxford joining Reading is a nightmare headline from 1982 when Oxford United chairman Robert Maxwell announced his plans to merge Oxford with Reading.
Thankfully that all fell through, Reading survived and went on to grow from strength to strength. We are now in the position to attract quality young players from the Premier League - such as Reece Oxford who completed his loan move to Reading this afternoon.
Oxford joins the Royals until the of the season from West Ham United. Oxford became Reading's second confirmed incoming transfer of deadline day, following Jordon Mutch who signed from Crystal Palace on loan earlier in the day. Oxford, who is unlikely to find his name printed on any replica shirts this season, has been signed to provide cover in the centre of defence where injuries have taken their toll on Jaap Stam's squad. Ilori has been out injured, McShane has been playing with a wrist injury, and Joey van den Berg picked up an injury this week. Oxford will be expected to come straight into the side next weekend.
Oxford made his West Ham debut aged just sixteen at the start of last season after becoming a professional with the Hammers. He went on to make 12 appearances last season, including 7 in the Premier League (3 starts and 4 from the bench). His opportunities have been more restricted this season and he has appeared just twice - both in Europa League fixtures. His move to Reading should give him plenty more first team action as he looks to build his career.
Meanwhile, yesterday's new signing, Adrian Popa who arrived from Steaua Bucharest on a permanent deal has managed to receive his international clearance. The clearance means Popa is cleared to play, and not only travelled with the team to Birmingham City for tonight's League fixture, but has been named on the bench and could now be set to make his Reading debut.
The final possible transfer of a busy transfer deadline day is the arrival, also on loan, of Bournemouth striker Lewis Grabban. Unlike some of the rumours during the day this one seems a strong possibility with the highly rated player unable to get match action at Bournemouth.
Twenty nine year old Grabban moved back to Bournemouth nearly exactly a year ago for 7 million pounds but his return spell has been dramatically less successful. In his return spell he has been restricted to having most of his match action from the bench and has scored just one goal from 22 appearances. Despite his lack of success in the Premier League Grabban was hugely successful in the Championship for both Bournemouth and then Norwich - and could be exactly what we need to keep us up at the top of the table.
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