New Reading signing Adrian Mariappa says it is a 'great feeling' to have joined the Premier League new-boys after his move was confirmed.
Royals new-boy cannot wait to get stuck into Premier League
New Reading signing Adrian Mariappa says it is a 'great feeling' to have joined the Premier League new-boys after his move to the Madejski Stadium was confirmed.
Sky Sports reported earlier on Tuesday the central defender had joined the Royals on a three-year contract and the club have now confirmed the signing on their
official website.
The 25-year-old, a long-time target of Reading manager Brian McDermott, is pleased the deal has finally gone through.
Delighted
He said: "It's a great feeling to have signed.
"The Premier League is the best in the world, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to come here, try to work my way into the team and perform for Reading Football Club."
The move is the first of Mariappa's career after making 247 appearances during his seven seasons with the Hornets.
He becomes the Royals' fifth summer signing, following the additions of Pavel Pogrebnyak, Nicky Shorey, Danny Guthrie and Garath McCleary.
Manager McDermott is pleased with his latest acquisition and backed the Jamaica international to shine at the Madejski Stadium.
"I'm delighted to get the deal to sign Aidy over the line, we have been chasing him all summer," he said.
"He's been a very important player for Watford over a number of years, he is well known to most of our players already and also the staff here.
"Every single person I have spoken to about him has nothing but good things to say about him both as a player and as a person."
Positive
Chairman Sir John Madejski added: "This is another very positive step by the club and one I am delighted has been completed.
"Adrian is very highly thought of and we hope he can develop even further under Brian McDermott and his staff."
Confirming his departure, Watford posted on their
official website: "The deal has now been formally completed and everyone at Watford Football Club - which, for certain, includes all Hornets supporters - wishes the home-grown defender well for his future football career."
