Hope Akpan Deal Done

Reading midfielder Hope Akpan today signed a two-year deal with fellow Championship side Blackburn, bringing to an end his two-and-a-half years at the Madejski Stadium.

Details of the deal haven't been disclosed but given he had less than a year left on his deal and Rovers are under a transfer embargo, this one is more than likely a free transfer arrangement to get Akpan's wages off the books.

Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Hope Akpan: http://t.co/TXSaRS1vcDpic.twitter.com/Bf5PIsfx0c

— Blackburn Rovers (@OneRovers) August 11, 2015

Reading boss Steve Clarke told the club's website.

"Last season was a frustrating one for Hope Akpan due to injury and lack of game-time. It is an area of the pitch where we are well covered and it would be wrong to deny Hope the chance to play matches and start to move his career forward again. He was always a good person in my squad with the correct attitude towards training and I wish him well for the future."

23-year-old Akpan made more than 70 appearances for Reading after arriving from Crawley in January 2013, just weeks after featuring against Reading in the FA Cup. His initial impact was impressive, setting up three Premier League goals in games against Newcastle and Chelsea but from then on out his impact diminished and he could do little to help Reading avoid the drop. He scored just one goal for the club, firing in against Bolton in a 7-1 demolition job in early 2014.

Akpan has always been an honest performer, seems a genuinely likeable lad but after a promising start in the Premier League has never been able to put in performances that suggest he was good enough to deserve a regular place. It is a little surprising that he will leave Reading for a fellow Championship club but he leaves with the best wishes of Royals fans and I personally hope he proves me wrong and shows he can be a regular Championship starter.