Reading FC Confirm Third January Signing

We brought you news from Poland over a week ago detailing the initial interest shown by Reading and now it's a done deal - Deniss Rakels has today been officially unveiled as a Royal. The Latvian has put pen to paper on a contract that will initially last for two and a half years, but there's an option agreed for a potential third. The fee hasn't been officially confirmed by the club, but it's believed to be in the region of £400,000.

Speaking about the transfer, Brian McDermott said...

"I'm delighted that we've completed the signing of Deniss. I spoke to Kaspars Gorkss, who is the Latvia captain and who played here for me of course - and he spoke really highly of Deniss, so I'm really pleased he has decided to join us. He has a really good goalscoring record, especially this season, so this signing is good news for us all."

Nigel Howe echoed McDermott's enthusiasm...

"Our third acquisition of the January transfer window, Deniss Rakels is a young player with a lot of promise - at 23 he already has a proven eye for goal and he will add to the manager's attacking options within the squad. I'm really pleased he has chosen to join Reading."

Interestingly, when Get Reading's Charles Watts spoke to Brian McDermott - before the deal had been confirmed - the gaffer said that Rakels was an owner's signing, not his.

Very interesting replies from Brian on my Rakels questioning. Confirms he is set to arrive and he is an owners signing. #readingfc

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) January 28, 2016

So, what kind of player is Rakels? Well, judging by this photo, he's quite the interesting character... to say the least.

Rakels loves his pugs. #readingfc pic.twitter.com/heElVhDvhm

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) January 28, 2016