Reading have secured a signing for the future after bringing in teenage defender Pierce Sweeney from Bray Wanderers.
Teenage defender hopes to follow in footsteps of fellow Irishmen
Reading have secured a signing for the future after bringing in teenage defender Pierce Sweeney from League of Ireland side Bray Wanderers.
Sweeney has linked up with the Premier League new boys for an undisclosed fee after making 12 appearances for Bray last season.
A Republic of Ireland youth international, Sweeney had been linked with a move to Everton recently, but has agreed a switch to the Madejski Stadium.
The 17-year-old centre-half follows in the footsteps of compatriots Shane Long and Kevin Doyle, who arrived Reading from St Patrick's and Cork respectively.
Big dream
He told Reading's
official website: "I'm absolutely delighted, it's a big dream of mine and the best moment of my career so far.
"There are a good few Irish connections here which helped to attract me to the club. There are plenty of players who have come from the League of Ireland and made the step up at this club, breaking into the first team, so it's something I want to aim for."
Director of football Nick Hammond said, "At the age of 17, Pierce is a young player with great potential and one that we've identified and watched over a long period of time.
"He is entering an excellent environment, and I know he will work extremely hard to try and realise his ambitions.
"The recruitment of young talent is massively important for us going forward, and after doing well in men's football in the League of Ireland he will now come into our development group."
