MAKIN & OSTER PEN DEALS

Reading Football Club have completed the signing's of Chris Makin and John Oster on 1 year contracts. Both players join on a free transfer

32 year old Makin signs having been with Reading now for 2 weeks, but was struck down with a nasty bout of illness during the pre season tour to Sweden.

He will provide cover at full-back and centre half, and could be in line for his debut this Saturday should Nicky Shorey not recover from a knee injury that has troubled him all summer.

He started his football career under Joe Royle at Oldham Athletic before moving to the south of France to join Marseille in 1996. He returned just a year later to one of Oster's former clubs, Sunderland where he spent 4 seasons up in the North East. A move to Ipswich Town followed for £1.4million. Last summer, Makin joined Leicester City and towards the end of last season, spent a loan spell at local rivals Derby County, who failed to reach the Premiership after losing in the Playoff semi finals to Preston North End.

Makin takes the squad number 23.

26 year old Oster joins having just been on trial at troubled Championship side Millwall.

Oster came to light when he was the bright spark at Grimsby Town, and in 1997 earned a £1.5million move to Everton. The Welsh right winger never got going on Merseyside, and 2 seasons later Peter Reid paid the toffee's £1million to sign Oster. He made a total of 67 appearances for the Mackems. He was on-loan at Leeds United last season where his stay was terminated due to an "off the field" incident at the United Christmas party. He also had a spell with Burnley at the end of last season.

Oster will provide much cover on the right wing, where he'll battle it out with Glen Little who disappointed much last season by struggling with fitness and by not even scoring.

Oster has been in and out of the international set-up with Wales, where he has gained 13 caps, the most recent in a 2-2 draw with Northern Ireland last September.

Oster takes the squad number 11.

1871Royals would like to wish the best of luck to Chris and John while at Reading Football Club!

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