GreenScene » Stephen Kelly joins Reading from Fulham

Stephen Kelly joins Reading from Fulham

11 January 2013 3,376 views 9 Comments Written by Ronan

Republic of Ireland international defender Stephen Kelly has signed for Reading from Fulham on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 29-year-old full-back completed the move this evening after undergoing a medical at the Madejski Stadium. “I’m delighted to have Stephen here,” Royals manager Brian McDermott told the club’s official website “He has played a lot of games in the Premier League and more than 30 times for his country. He’s the kind of player I’ve been talking about – someone with great experience, but at 29 still young in football terms and at a really good stage in his career.

“I’ve always liked him as a player, and the first time I met him was at Kevin Doyle’s wedding a while ago now and I thought he was a top guy. I know he’s going to fit into the dressing room here really well. He’s up for the fight, up for the battle, he’s hungry, he wants to do well and I know he’ll be successful for us.”

Chairman Sir John Madejski added, “It’s a great signing for Reading Football Club. He’s a proven international and Premier League player and he seems like a lovely guy as well. We’ve had some great success stories with players from Ireland in recent years and I’m sure the signing of Stephen will be no different. I’m delighted he has signed and we all wish him very well during his career at Reading.”

32-time Ireland international Kelly will wear number 27 at Reading, but cannot make his debut for the Royals until next weekend.

9 Comments »

Propagandhi said:

Things are beginning to pick up now.

Kelly joins Reading. Jay Tabb has been told he can leave Reading. Reading are hopeful that Alex Pearce will sign a new contract. Noel Hunt is more likely to sign an extension. Reading have denied reports linking them with Kevin Doyle. Richard Dunne has been linked with QPR. Mark Yeates is unwanted by Watford, despite scoring 3 goals and claiming over a half-dozen assists, this season, he is linked with Bristol City. Stephen McPhail’s long stay at Cardiff looks like coming to an end, out of contract in the summer, he is available on loan. Jay O’Shea has dropped a level to League 2, signing permanently for Chesterfield.

# 11 January 2013 at 11:51 pm

del said:

Glad for Stephen he’s getting regular football now but it could be another Irish defender playing championship football.

# 12 January 2013 at 11:00 am

Richie said:

Shane Long’s not even on the bench for WBA today, and no word of an injury, wonder what’s up with that.

# 12 January 2013 at 3:32 pm

Propagandhi said:

Enda Stevens has conceded a penalty against Southampton. I had to turn off Sky Sports News this morning because of the bigoted pontificating about diving foreigners.

Born and bred Englishman, Jay Rodriguez dived to win aforementioned penalty.

# 12 January 2013 at 3:42 pm

Propagandhi said:

https://twitter.com/seanmorrison_91

“@howdyho1: @seanmorrison_91 Hey Sean, hru? Just wondering – Are you eligible to play for Ireland???” No I’m not man

The greatest mystery since who shot JR? has been solved. Sean Morrison is not eligible for Ireland. Hopefully, people will shut the hell up about him now.

# 12 January 2013 at 4:20 pm

Propagandhi said:

Wesley Hoolahan

The Irishman can’t really get a look-in at international level, but judging by his continued Premier League form it’s a wonder he isn’t the first name on Giovanni Trapattoni’s team sheet. Against Newcastle the pint-sized playmaker was everywhere in attack and the Newcastle backline struggled to deal with him all afternoon.

4 stars

Alex Pearce
Gave Morrison too much room for an early chance and then lost Lukaku too easily for opening goal, just letting him run past. Allowed Lukaku in behind again, and might have given away a penalty, but Federici rushed out to save him. Went toward making up for it by assisting Pogrebnyak’s late winner.

2.5 stars

Goal.com

# 12 January 2013 at 5:21 pm

ICantsplel said:

Nothing worse than that delusional scouser Phil Thompson on sky sports news, thinks Shane Long isn’t good enough for them and they should be signing Huntelaar and Lewondowski. Doesn’t he realise Liverpool are a mid table team now…

# 12 January 2013 at 6:13 pm

Propagandhi said:

Long is far better value than Sturridge. Long doesn’t guarantee more than 10 goals a season but neither does Sturridge and Long has far more to his game. He could have been a right foil for Suarez. Maybe if he was British or foreign…

# 12 January 2013 at 7:02 pm

Poznan12 said:

Fantastic signing for Reading. Saw him play on Sat against Newscastle, fantastic defending and going fwd with some great balls into the box. Kelly is a pro, should be captain of the Irish team except Trap is clueless and plays bottom of league 1 team defenders who warm the bench.Can’t see Reading dropping to Championship now.

# 21 January 2013 at 1:00 pm