READING have completed a deal for Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone.
The Italian has penned a contract which will run until 2020.
Royals have been on the lookout for a new man between the sticks since Ali Al-Habsi made the decision to move to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, a deal that was confirmed this week.
And after being linked with the likes of Karl Darlow and David Button, they have opted to make a move for Italian stopper Mannone.
“We have some outstanding young keepers at the club but, with Ali leaving, we wanted some extra goalkeeping experience to join Anssi in the first team squad,” said Jaap Stam.
“And Mannone is a great goalkeeper.
“He has played at the highest level for both Arsenal and Sunderland and he has also played a lot of games in the Championship whilst on loan with Hull.
“And Vito has the abilities we are looking for – he is comfortable playing the ball with his feet and can make the right choices at the right time within our system.
“Of course, he now needs to challenge for a place in the first team – a place that Anssi wants to fight for as well, of course. But we’re very glad to have him at the club.”
The 29-year-old had just one year left on his contract with the Black Cats and was said to be seeking more security from a longer deal at Reading.
The fee is believed to be in the region of £2 million.
Mannone began his youth career with Atalanta in Italy but quickly made the move to England, snapped up by Arsenal in 2005.
After coming through the youth team, Mannone had loan spells at Barnsley and Hull City while also making 23 appearances for the Gunners first team including games in the Premier League and Champions League.
The Italian left to join Sunderland on a permanent basis in 2013 and made 80 appearances, but found himself behind Jordan Pickford in the pecking order last season.
And following relegation to the Championship, Mannone has now left the club to compete with Anssi Jaakkola for the number one spot at Reading.
“The player is going into the last year of his contract and when a suitable offer comes in, you have to consider it,” Sunderland boss Simon Grayson told local reporters.
“We’ve made it clear to Vito it was up to him what he wanted to do and he felt for his long-term security it was probably best to go.
“It was put into his hands and he made the decision that he wanted to go.”
