READING have announced the signing of defender Tiago Ilori from Liverpool for an undisclosed fee.
The deal has been mooted since the first week of the January transfer window, with some outlets reporting it as a done deal for around £3.75 million, but it only finally officially got over the line this morning.
London-born Ilori, 23, spent three and a half years at Anfield after signing from Sporting Lisbon for £7 million but made only three appearances for the first team.
The centre-back has also spent time away on loan at Aston Villa, Granada and Bordeaux in recent years but has now penned a permanent contract at Reading until 2020.
And Stam is delighted to snap up the former Portugal international youth player.
“Tiago is the type of defender a lot of people like,” said the boss.
“His technical skill, passing ability, pace, quality and physique – we always want players with those attributes within our squad.
“In this league, with all the games we need to play, you never know what’s going to happen with injuries and suspensions – so it’s always important we have options and the chance to rotate.
“And looking to the future, you need to seize the opportunity when players like Tiago are available, so we’re very happy that he will be joining us at Reading.”
Ilori could make his debut for the Royals at Derby County on Saturday before a potential Madejski Stadium bow against Fulham on Tuesday night.
