08 August 2019
By Hob Nob Anyone?
It has been a very busy week for the Royals in the transfer market ahead of the window closing. The Royals have unexpectadly dramatically increased the depth of their squad with a series of big signings of International players. We will head into our second game of the season with a much improved squad and with plenty of options available to manager Jose Gomes as he looks to keep us clear of another relegation battle this season.
Earlier this week we signed striker Lucas Joao from Sheffield Wednesday on a four year contract, goalkeeper Rafael Cabral Barbosa who joins on a three year contract after leaving Sampdoria and Monaco's midfielder Pele on a season long loan. If that wasn't dramatic enough George Puscas has signed from Inter Milan on a five year contract and a big money transfer fee as Reading suddenly found plenty of available funds to make what can only be described as quality signings.
Lucas Joao arrives at Reading shortly after the club confirmed the arrival of forward player Lucas Boye who arrives from Tornio for the season. Lucas Joao is well known to Reading fans after scoring in injury time on Saturday during Sheffield Wednesday's opening day victory at the Madejski Stadium. Joao is a Portugal international and scored 29 goals in 128 appearances for the Owl's after signing four years ago from Portuguese side Nacional.
Goalkeeper Rafael could turn into a massively important signing for Reading after we have struggled to have a consistant goalkeeper since the departure of Ali Al Habsi. Twenty nine year old Rafael has played three times for Brazil but struggled to get into the team at Sampdoria who were willing to let him leave despite time remaining on his contract.
Monaco's Pele was at Nottingham Forest last season and has been sent out on loan again from his parent club Monaco. He appears to be another player known to Gomes, born in Portugal and playing in Portgual for Belenenses before a move to Monaco.
Yesterday's signing George Puscas feels like the icing on the cake of a successful transfer window. Twenty three year old Romanian Puscas has already collected eight caps for his country and signs on a huge five year contract in a clear indication of his potential future value.
With Puscas coming in, highly rated youngster Danny Loader now looks set to join Wolves after failing to agree a new contract with Reading.
Meanwhile Sam Smith and Marc McNulty have gone out on loan for the season and David Meyler has been confirmed as leaving the club. The lists of incoming and outgoing players have become lengthy as it's all change this season at the Madejski Stadium:
Players Signed
Departing Players
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