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Watford have confirmed the move for the 23-year-old, who will join on a season-long-loan deal from Watford. Reports from elsewhere have suggested Reading will also pay Watford around £2.5m in a loan fee, matching the club record fee we paid for Emerse Fae. (Fingers crossed this signing pans out slightly better!) There is also an unconfirmed clause in the deal that will allow Reading to buy the forward for £10m if we achieve promotion and that we'll be paying his full wages.
When interest was first reported it seemed a strange move considering that Vydra had only signed for Watford on a permanent basis earlier this summer. However he's made just one Capital One Cup appearance since and talk soon begin to emerge of a potential loan move away. Watford didn't want to sell him to another Premier League club and now he's a Reading player until the summer.
The move reuintes Vydra with Steve Clarke, whom managed the player during another loan spell at West Brom back in 2013/14. That move didn't really work out for the Czech international as he struggled to start regularly but his Championship pedigree is without question. Vydra has banged home 36 Championship goals in just 83 games in the second tier and was named the Championship Player of the Season back in 2012/13 as Watford lost the play-off final to Crystal Palace.
He seems the pefect player to partner Orlando Sa and the addition of such a high quality player really does put Reading back into the category of play-off contenders once again.
Steve Clarke told the club's website.
"I don't need to highlight Matej's qualities as they are there for all to see. This is a signing that should excite everyone connected with Reading and I look forward to working with Matej for a second time."
The only downside is the club having to fork out a near club record fee for less than a full season of playing time but if he scores the goals that send us into contention, it'll be money very much well spent.
Vydra will now compete with Sa, a resurgent Nick Blackman and Hal Robson-Kanu for a place up front, plus youngster Dom Samuel.
We'll have plenty more analysis on this deal over the coming days here on The Tilehurst End but in the meantime please leave us your thoughts below.