latest news
HUNT MOVES TO READING
Hunt - has joined Reading.
Reading have signed striker Noel Hunt from Dundee United after the SPL club accepted an improved bid.
The 25-year-old has secured a three-year contract with the Championship side after United agreed an undisclosed fee thought to be around £600,000.
The Irishman will join his new team-mates, including brother Stephen, in Sweden on Thursday.
Hunt, who joined United for £50,000 from Dunfermline in 2006, scored 18 goals last season.
He was due to reach the end of his contract next summer and had told United boss Craig Levein he wanted to move south.
Levein had already strengthened his forward line with the loan signing of Cardiff's Warren Feeney and the capture of Valencia striker Francesco Sandaza.
After a third Reading bid proved too good to resist, Levein said: "This transfer represents an excellent deal for Dundee United and helps bring further financial stability to the club.
"Following an initial inquiry last season, we were aware that Reading might make a formal offer before the close of this transfer window and made plans accordingly.
"We knew that a formal offer would require serious consideration and we knew we had to plan to replace Noel before it became too late to do so.
"I'm delighted therefore that two strikers have already been brought in as highly capable replacements and that we will not be short of quality strikers as a result of this transfer going through at this stage.
"It may also be that I can now perhaps look at strengthening the squad further, if necessary, as a result of this transfer.
"The move is also an excellent opportunity for Noel and, in all fairness, we couldn't stand in his way."
Reading boss Steve Coppell, who has already left for the club's pre-season training camp in Sweden, was pleased to land a player he has tracked for years.
Coppell, who saw forward Dave Kitson leave for Stoke in a £5.5million switch last week, said of his new signing: "He's a player we have known about for quite a while, obviously with the family connection."
Coppell told Reading's official website: "I have watched his career with interest, we had him watched a number of times last season.
"With 'Kits' going, I said I was happy with three forwards, but an opportunity arose.
"He is flexible, he can play across the line up front, and like Stephen, he's a whole-hearted player. He led the line on a number of occasions in Scotland last year.
"He has a terrific leap for a small guy and he is infectious. I hope that impetus will spark us up.
"We were looking to add 'young and hungry', that is what we have built the club on.
"We have got some players who have grown with us over the years and still maintain that desire but a little fresh impetus doesn't do any harm."
