John O’Shea On Verge Of Reading Switch

Reading are set to bring in John O’Shea from Sunderland on a free transfer, with the centre half now out of contract at the Stadium of Light. This comes from both the Irish Sun and the Sunderland Echo’s Richard Mennear, both of whom claim the Irishman will agree a one-year deal at the Mad Stad.

The Irish Sun report that O’Shea was open to staying in the North East, but incoming manager Jack Ross didn’t want to keep him in the squad - so he’s off to sunny Berkshire instead.

The Sunderland Echo article goes on to say that O’Shea will join Reading’s coaching staff at the end of his year playing for us, which to be fair puts the whole transfer into a nicer context. At 37, and having just seen back-to-back relegations on Wearside, he doesn’t offer a huge amount on the pitch.

What he would bring is experience - well over 600 games’ worth across a predominantly Premier League career with Manchester United and Sunderland. That can (hopefully) only be a benefit to a Reading team that really could have used some more experience last season.

Despite both reports seeming very sure that a deal is done, the transfer isn’t quite finished yet, so stayed tuned to TTE for more on this as it unfolds.