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After the signing of Liam Moore was confirmed on Saturday, Jaap Stam has bolstered Reading's defensive options further by bringing in Tyler Blackett from Manchester United.
The 22 year old was first rumoured to be on the club's radar back in June, but interest died down until last Friday when a move was reportedly back on the cards.
Blackett was then seen at the Madejski Stadium during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Brighton by this eagle eyed fan:
@Smudgersport Tyler Blackett at reading in the black hat !! pic.twitter.com/qqJOoVYrzD
— cameron macken (@ronniemac93) August 20, 2016
With just a year left on his Old Trafford contract, the fee is likely to be minimal for Blackett. Speaking to the official website, Jaap Stam said:
"As we know, Tyler is a talented defender who has played for United’s first team. He can play as a left-back or a left-sided centre-back; he has got great potential in the sense that he is quick and athletic, defensively he is strong and he is good at set-pieces. As a defender he can go and play high up the pitch as well, and that is what we need in the squad.”
What does Blackett's CV look like?
The defender was with Manchester United since he was eight years old, and won the FA Youth Cup in 2011. He had loan spells at Blackpool and Birmingham City before becoming one of the first youngsters to be given a chance under former boss Louis van Gaal in the 2014-15 season as the Red Devils found themselves lacking defenders. In his 12 Premier League appearances, Blackett got sent off in a 5-3 defeat to Leicester City and scored an own goal in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
In 2015-16 the 22 year old went on loan to Celtic, but his time in Scotland was disappointing as he made just three league starts. Blackett has played for England at youth level from the U16s to U21s, and also qualifies to play for Jamaica and Barbados.
He is primarily a left-back, so will provide much needed cover for Jordan Obita, but has also featured in the centre of defence in the past.
It is unlikely that Reading's summer spending is over, with Stam probably still on the hunt for another striker, whilst replacements may be needed for Chris Gunter and Danny Williams if they move away.