Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak says he snubbed Fulham to join Reading because he felt more wanted by the Premier League new boys.
Russian star did not feel wanted by Fulham owner Al Fayed
Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak says he snubbed Fulham to join Reading because he felt more wanted by the Premier League new boys.
Pogrebnyak netted six goals in 12 games during a loan spell with Fulham last season and the Cottagers appeared to be favourites to sign him on a permanent deal in the summer.
The West London club offered a contract to the 28-year-old, but he turned down the deal to seal a shock move to Championship title winners Reading.
Pogrebnyak says he was only offered an initial one-year deal by Fulham and believes Cottagers chairman Mohamed Al Fayed was reluctant to pull out all the stops to clinch his signing.
It left the door open for new Reading owner Anton Zingarevich to convince his fellow Russian during the European Championship to join the Berkshire club instead.
Dream
Pogrebnyak said: "I signed four years here. Fulham gave me one and after two. Fulham's president, I think, didn't want so much for me to be at Fulham."
He added: "He [Zingarevich] said that he wanted to see me at Reading.
"It's very important for me that Anton speaks Russian and as well that our coach wanted me."
Pogrebnyak says he was desperate to stay in England and was won over by the methods of Reading boss Brian McDermott.
"I knew a lot about Reading and the coach was the No.1 coach in the Championship," he said.
"I prefer England and it was my dream. I always wanted to play in England. I want to stay here as long as possible."
