Talented Chelsea youngsterJohn Swift has completed a move to Championship side Reading on a three-year-deal.
Chelsea had offered Swift a new deal, but he declined in an attempt to win first team football and so he will link up with Jaap Stam's new look Reading side on their pre-season tour in the Netherlands.
SIGNED | 21-year-old midfielder John Swift becomes the latest addition to Jaap Stam's squad https://t.co/8rljXDs56A pic.twitter.com/73V78aWMrQ
The Royals faced stiff competition from Brentford,where he was on-loan last season, and fellow Championship side Wolves, but Readingwon the race to sign the hot talent.
It was while on loan at Brentford that Swift really showed his truepotential in a campaign that he featured 28 times and scored on sevenof those occasions.
The 21-year-old has signed a three-year contract at the Madejski with an option to an additional fourth year with the club, becoming the fourth signing for the Royals this summer.
Swift had risen through the Chelsea academy, featuring on-loan a number of times. He however, did not wish to sign a new deal with the Blues as he searches for first team action.
The midfielder, who can also comfortably play in midfield, has been called up to the England under-21s,managing to break into the side that won the Toulon tournament earlier this year.
The deal had been completed swiftly, with Reading only being linked late last week,he then flew out late on Wednesday and is set to feature in a training game on Thursday.
Jaap Stam will be delighted with his latest capture as he moulds his own Reading side to match high ambitions of a top flight return.
The Berkshire sideare expected to complete their sixth signing on the same day, or upcoming days, in the form of Dutch winger Roy Beerens from Hertha and perhaps their seventh signing as Argentine centreback Gaston Campi is currently on trial.