A FORMER England player has become the first signing for Nigel Adkins’ new-look Reading FC side.
Left-back Wayne Bridge has signed up to help fire the Royals straight back into the Premier League
The vastly experienced former Southampton, Chelsea and Manchester City defender has agreed on a one-year contract at Madejski Stadium and becomes Nigel Adkins’ first signing as Royals boss.
“I’m delighted to be signing for Reading and excited to be joining a team that is going to be looking for promotion next season,” Bridge said.
“I spoke to the manager and he told me about the direction he wants the team to go in. Everything we talked about was positive – and he was really positive about signing me which means a lot.
“And, from the outside, Reading look like a team who are capable of getting back into the Premier League, a team that works hard for each other. That is something I want to be a part of and I’m really looking forward to next season.”
Bridge joins the club with more than 300 Premier League appearances and 36 England caps to his name. During six successful years at Chelsea, he won all three domestic trophies whilst, on the international scene, he featured in two World Cup squads and went to one European Championships tournament with Sven-Göran Eriksson’s England.
The 32-year-old full back spent last season on loan from Manchester City, making 42 starts for Gus Poyet’s Brighton – achieving a play-off place with the Seagulls as well as the left-back position in the Football League Championship Team of the Year 2012/13.
Reading FC’s Director of Football, Nick Hammond, said: “I’m delighted to have secured this agreement so early in the summer window. Both Wayne and his representatives have been very straightforward and professional to deal with and the player will add great experience and quality to our squad.”
Wayne is due to meet up with his new Royals teammates for the first time when the squad return for pre-season training at the end of the month.
Last modified on Friday, 07 June 2013 09:42
