Jaap Stam Signs New Deal At Reading

YES!!!!!!

Jaap Stam has today signed a new deal that will keep him at Reading until the summer of 2019. His original contract, agreed on his arrival in June 2016, had been due to expire a year from now.

The same is also true of Assistant Manager Andries Ulderink and First Team Coach Said Bakkati, who will both remain with Stam.

This news surely puts an end to any speculation linking him with a move to another club - speculation which had been rife a few weeks ago when vacancies arose at Ajax, Leeds, Southampton and elsewhere. Plus, it suggests that Stam is confident that working with Reading's new owners, Dai Yongge and Dai Xiu, will work out well.

Dai Yongge told the official site:

"My sister and I are absolutely delighted that Jaap Stam has agreed to sign a new contract at Reading Football Club.

"We will support Jaap in helping him to build a squad capable of challenging at the top end of the Championship again in 2017-18 and that support will continue throughout the season as we look forward to the challenge of a brand new season!”

Whereas Brian Tevreden added:

"I am thrilled that Jaap has signed this new deal. Importantly his presence provides consistency at this football club and his leadership is invaluable going into the new Championship season.

"On a personal note, I enjoy working alongside him and his team - and he fully deserves this new contract."

So, this is all rather wonderful.

This good news comes at an ideal time for Reading, with three first team players all strongly linked with leaving over the last few days. Danny Williams to Huddersfield, Chris Gunter to Middlesbrough, and Ali Al-Habsi to Al Hilal.

Could the new contract for Stam persuade any of them to stay? Let's hope so.