Leandro Bacuna, Marc McNulty and David Meyler all completed deadline day moves away from Reading.
Bacuna has made a permanent switch to Premier League side Cardiff City for a reported £3 million, while Meyler has joined Coventry City and McNulty has moved to Hibernian on loans until the end of the season after falling completely out of favour under Jose Gomes.
Bacuna said: “A few weeks ago, I was made aware of some interest and it has all gone from there.
“Thanks for two beautiful years at this warm hearted club (Reading). Been a pleasure playing. I wish everyone at the club the best of luck. Keep fighting.”
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Bacuna made 66 appearances for Reading, scoring five goals, since his arrival from Aston Villa in August 2017.
Coventry boss Mark Robins expressed his delight in snapping up Meyler, who has played just five games since joining Reading in the summer.
“We are delighted to add a player of David’s pedigree to the squad until the end of the season,” said Robins.
“He will be a real presence for us on and off the pitch.”
Striker McNulty then joined the exodus by moving to his former club Hibs. Also a summer signing, the forward netted just one goal in 15 games under Paul Clement and has not featured since Gomes arrived on December 22.
That deal went down to the final couple of hours of the window with the SPL side first having to move on high earner Jamie Maclaren to free up some wages.
“I’m delighted to be joining Hibernian and, after leaving the club as a 16-year-old, it does feel a bit like unfinished business,” said McNulty.
“Coming back home definitely appealed and Hibs were always my first choice.
“I like the way the team tries to play football and I like to think I’ll fit right in.
“Having not played as much as I would have liked at Reading recently, I’ve missed that expectation and intensity so I’m hoping to be involved as soon as possible and show what I’m all about.
“It feels like it’s been a long time coming and the club worked so hard to get me here.”
Earlier in the day, it appeared this season’s top scorer Yakou Meite could be set to make a shock departure from Reading.
According to reports in France, Meite was wanted by both French side Amiens and Italian giants Juventus, who then intended to loan him out to Pescara in Serie B, but the deals fell through.
Meanwhile, Mo Barrow stayed put despite late interest from Nottingham Forest. The Royals were open to cashing in for the right price, but Forest were only keen on a loan.
Tyler Blackett also attracted interest from Championship clubs but remained at Reading while Liam Kelly could not seal a loan deal, despite encouragement from Gomes.
Reading did not plan to introduce any new players into the squad on the final day of the window unless they sold Barrow.
Vito Mannone was also available for transfer but could not find a new club.
A total of five players arrived in this window, all on loan, while 16 departed from the bloated squad.
INS: Ovie Ejaria (Liverpool, loan), Lewis Baker (Chelsea, loan), Nelson Oliveira (Norwich, loan), Emiliano Martinez (Arsenal, loan), Matt Miazga (Chelsea, loan)
OUTS: Adrian Popa (Ludogorets, loan), Axel Andresson (Viking, undisc.), Pelle Clement (PEC Zwolle, undisc.), Josh Sims (Southampton, loan return), Luke Southwood (Eastleigh, loan), Ben House (Swindon, loan), Darren Sidoel (Roeselare, loan), Dave Edwards (Shrewsbury, free), Lewis Ward (Forest Green, loan), George Legg (Boreham Wood, loan), Sam Smith (Shrewsbury, loan), Gabriel Osho (Bristol Rovers, loan), Tiago Ilori (Sporting Lisbon, £2.5 mill approx.), Leandro Bacuna (Cardiff City, £3 million approx.), David Meyler (Coventry, loan), Marc McNulty (Hibernian, loan)
Check back to wokingham.today tomorrow where sports editor Tom Crocker will feature on The Tilehurst End Weekend Preview.
