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Reading have announced the signing of Tiago Ilori on a permanent deal from Liverpool.
The Portugal youth international defender, 23, signs on a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Royals.
Ilori will reportedly cost the club £3.75m, with a 35% sell-on clause. That breaks the club's previous record transfer fee of £2.5m for Emerse Fae. Officially, the fee is undisclosed.
Told that Liverpool's Tiago Ilori has completed his move to Reading. @_pauljoyce & @DominicKing_DM reporting £3.75m fee plus 35% sell-on
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) January 9, 2017
Jaap Stam was understandably delighted, saying:
“Tiago is the type of defender a lot of people like - his technical skill, passing ability, pace, quality and physique. We always want players with those attributes within our squad.
“In this league, with all the games we need to play, you never know what’s going to happen with injuries and suspensions – so it’s also important we have options and the chance to rotate.
“And looking to the future, you need to seize the opportunity when players like Tiago are available, so we’re very happy that he will be joining us at Reading.”
Ilori joined Liverpool from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2013 but has failed to make his mark at The Reds. During his time at the club, he spent time on loan at Bordeaux and Granada in the top divisions of France and Spain.
The news has eventually come at a great time for the club, as captain Paul McShane has been ruled out after undergoing a wrist operation prior to the defeat at Old Trafford.