Reading have made their first signing of the January transfer window, bringing in defender Tommy Elphick on loan from Aston Villa.
Elphick, 30, has plenty of Championship experience, winning the league as captain of AFC Bournemouth in 2015 and subsequently featuring for them in the Premier League.
Before that he started his career at Brighton and Hove Albion, but has struggled for game time at Villa this season following the arrival of John Terry from Chelsea.
Elphick will wear the number three shirt and is eligible to face Burton Albion tomorrow evening.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Elphick.
“Learning off the manager, this is a progressive club and I know we’re in a sticky situation at the moment but it’s a club that’s going forward still.
“The club made huge strides forward last year. I remember watching the game at Villa Park last year and we got absolutely battered for 90 minutes.
“I want to be part of something like that again, playing that brand of football and the manager brings that.”
He added: “Confidence is so key and when you watch Reading at the moment there’s a bit of a lack of confidence in the group.
“We just need a lift and hopefully I can bring that, hopefully I can try and remind the players how good they are and push the manager’s messages.
“Hopefully we can have an exciting end to the season.”
Captain Paul McShane is currently unavailable due to a hamstring problem which is set to keep him out for a number of weeks.
“With the injuries we have at the back, we needed to bring in an extra defender,” said Jaap Stam.
“We were looking for someone who can add individual ability, quality and experience to the squad.
“Tommy is a player who does just that. He can play in the style we want to play and the experience he brings to the squad is also going to be very important.
“We are very pleased to have him here.”
Technical director Brian Tevreden added: “The market has been typically tough during this January transfer window.
“But I am very pleased we have been able to add a defender with such vast experience and undoubted pedigree to the first team squad.”
