READING have signed Hope Akpan from League 1 side Crawley Town. The midfielder becomes the Royals second signing in eight days.

The 21-year-old has been tracked by the Royals for a number of years since he came through the ranks at Everton, and he joins the Royals on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Manager Brian McDermott is pleased to have added Akpan to his squad, and believes the midfielder can play in the Barclays Premier League. The Royals boss said: “I'm delighted to have signed Hope, we have known all about him for a very long time. He has a great pedigree coming through the ranks at a top Premier League side in Everton, there were a lot of clubs in for him during this window but once he heard of our interest this was the only place he wanted to play. He's 21 and is a player we feel can play at this level."

The six-footer made his debut for Everton in the Europa League, and also spent time on loan at Hull before moving to Crawley under Coppell’s directorship and helping them to promotion in his first year at the club. In 46 (+14) appearances he scored eight goals for Town.

Hope's age means we do not have to use a place for him in our 25-man Barclays Premier League squad, at 21 years old he is eligible to play in the top flight whilst sitting outside our named squad. His squad number will be confirmed in due course and he will train with the full squad for the first time on Thursday.

Published 09/01/13