ADRIAN POPA has become Reading’s second signing of the winter.
The Romanian international, 28, announced the move on his own social media accounts towards the end of last week and Royals boss Jaap Stam confirmed interest after Saturday’s win against Fulham.
Popa, whose contract at Steaua Bucharest was due to expire in the summer, has joined for an undisclosed fee on a three-and-a-half year deal, which follows the arrival of Tiago Ilori from Liverpool.
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The winger will take the number 25 shirt and is available for tomorrow’s trip to Birmingham City.
“Adrian is a forward with enormous potential who has played at a high level in Romania as well as in European and international football,” said Stam.
“He is an experienced player, who is quick, a constant threat to the opposition, good on the ball and who is comfortable playing on the left, on the right or even up front in a two.
“With the amount of games we have coming up, a player of his quality will make it easier for us to rotate a little more and give some players a rest if we need to, so I’m delighted to have him here as part of our squad.”
Popa, who was born in Bucharest, becomes the first Romanian to join Reading and has 21 caps for his country as well as three goals and was part of the squad for Euro 2016.
This is the first time Popa has joined a club outside of Romania following spells with FC Universitatea Cluj and CS Concordia Chiajna before penning a five-year deal with Steaua in 2012.
He has featured against English clubs in the past with Champions League experience against Manchester City while also playing Rafa Benitez’s Chelsea in the Europa League.
“We are very pleased to be able to welcome Adrian to Reading on a deal which will keep him at the club until the summer of 2020,” said chief executive Nigel Howe.
“He is an exciting addition to our squad who brings with him a wealth of experience of top flight, European and international football.”
