Reading FC

Reading FC make double signing

By Jonny Fordham
January 31, 2011

Reading have made a double transfer day deadline signing from across the Atlantic Ocean.

Director of football Nick Hammond confirmed to the Reading Post this evening that Canadian under-20 player of the year Ethan Gage and American college star Eric Opsahl have joined until the end of the season.

This news was broken first by our Royals reporter Jonny Fordham on Twitter. Follow him here to get all the latest Reading FC news.

Both players are central midfielders and have been snapped up for free, with the option of extending their stay further should they prove to be a hit at Madejski Stadium.

Gage, a former Vancouver Whitecaps player, had been on trial with Royals earlier in the month and the 19-year-old can also play at right-back if needed.

Opsahl, 18, had previously been on loan at AJ Auxerre and comes from St John's University in New York.

Hammond told the Post: “They’re both young and are both for the future.

“Over the last few years I have built up some good contacts in America and we’re looking forward to bringing these two talented players to the club.

“They’re both typical American sportsmen. They’re dedicated and highly professional and should fit in well with the rest of the squad here.

“Again me and the manager feel both these players are of the Reading mould. Overall me and Brian are very happy with what we have done during the window.”

However, Reading did miss out on the signing of Dulwich Hamlets star Paul McCallum, who looks set to join a Premier League side based in London.

Hammond added: "We had agreed a fee with Dulwich, but the player wants to stay in London. You can't win them all."

And finally, striker Nicholas Bignall has joined Brentford on loan until May 1 with two Academy players also moving out.

Centre-back Jack Mills has joined Jacob Walcott on loan at Dutch side Telstar and Michael Hector has joined Irish Premier League side Dundalk - both until the end of the season.

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Most recent user comments 5 of 5

I totaly agree with you gunner because i know a couple of players that been to Reading or still at Reading, and they think if they leave the club then they might get a better chance in their career, i think the scouting team is not the best, but hey what do i know about scouting but its only my opinion. and all those names u mentioned are doing extremly well liam bridcutt not too long ago he was a Chelsea reserve captain and went onto watford think he's at Brighton now but i think they need to give the reserve boys a chance. looking at james Henry he plays game in game out since going to Millwall and not to long ago he was under the radar of Westham and Westbrom.

jake thompson
03/02/2011 at 13:40

@Gunner4life -- you make some relevant points about local lads doing well elsewhere. There are however plenty that have been brought through the academy. Jem Karacan, Church, Pearce, Long (to a large extent) Robson-Kanu, Antonio - these guys have all played this season -- add to that Cox, Henry, Henderson who have all been successful since leaving Reading all academy -- it has not done too badly. There are only limited places available at the academy & Southampton have a very strong academy.

We got one Walcott -- you never know he may turn out to be better than Theo?

Robsy , Reading
01/02/2011 at 16:59

Reading made 2 deadline day signings on a free which may turn out to be good business but i see another local player, Marvin Bartley, from their own doorstep has slipped through the net and signed for Burnley from Bournemouth yesterday!

Does make me wonder in their is a problem at Reading FC at grassroots level with signing local talent and them going all the way through to the 1st team or if it's just their scouting system that isn't doing it's job??? Been seeing this for the last 15 years now where locals boys have been snapped up from teams further a field from under Readings noses and gone on to enjoy successful careers or have been on Readings books, released then still made it elsewhere! i understand this does happen in football and if your not good enough then thats fair but surely between Marvin, Hayden Mullins, Leon Bridcutt, Tom & Louie Soares, Neville Roach, Deon Burton to name a few they must have been on Readings radar at some point! Even now I know parents who have kids at Southampton, QPR & Watford.....Reading missing out again! Theo Walcott lived 20min away in Newbury

gunner 4 life
01/02/2011 at 15:52

We do have a reserve team plus academy sides - I guess they will be looked at there?

Robsy , Reading
01/02/2011 at 15:24

I don't understand this - so they've joined until the end of season, with the option to stay if they prove to be good. But are these two youngsters seriously going to get any time on the field ahead of Leigertwood, Karacan, Tabb, and Howard?

DocD
01/02/2011 at 14:33

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Reading FC make double signing

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