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Just when we thought that Reading wouldn’t be bringing in any more players before Saturday’s Championship opener against QPR, the club have announced that winger Modou Barrow is a Royal after completing an undisclosed move from Swansea.
A Gambian international (six caps), Barrow had moved to South Wales in the summer of 2014 from Swedish side Östersunds FK for £1.5 million, and Wales Online have reported that the Swans wanted to recoup that money in order to sanction his departure after rejecting a £1.25 million bid earlier in the summer. The publication also claim that the fee could rise with various add-ons and that the deal includes a sell-on clause. The 24-year-old made a total of 55 appearances for Swansea, scoring twice.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Leeds United, but played just five times for the Whites - failing to score. It was a similar case in his other Championship loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Blackburn Rovers, where he was equally uninspiring. He’s hoping he makes more of an impact after signing a four year deal at the Madejski Stadium!
On the transfer, Jaap Stam told the official club website:
“I’m very pleased to welcome Mo to Reading Football Club and I’m delighted that we have been able to add another player to our squad ahead of the start of the new season. Now all our focus is on the challenge that lies ahead on Saturday and our trip to QPR.”
Ron Gourlay added:
“We are delighted to have finalised a deal to bring Mo to Madejski Stadium. A lot of hard work is ongoing to try and strengthen Jaap’s squad for the challenges of the season ahead and give us the best possible chance of enjoying another successful year. So I'm pleased that a player of Mo’s calibre has opted to join us at Reading to try to help us achieve our goals.”
Finally, Brian Tevreden said:
“We identified Mo as a player with real ability as well as the potential to flourish and improve even further as a member of this Reading squad. He is a bright and exciting talent and we have every faith that he can make a big contribution at Reading Football Club.”
Barrow becomes Reading’s fourth signing of the summer after Pelle Clement, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Vito Mannone and subject to the normal ratification and international clearance, he will be eligible for the trip to Loftus Road in under 48 hours time.