ROYALS SIGN CHUKWYNYELY

Reading Football Club have today completed the signing of 24 year old Nigerian striker Eric Obinna Chukwynyely on a 6 month contract.

The striker has been on trial at the club over the past few weeks and adds depth to a strike force that consists of Dave Kitson, Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle.

Eric doesn't require a work permit because he holds dual French and Nigerian nationality. He will take the squad number 29 and is expected to go straight into contention for Saturday's short trip to Watford.

Chukwynyely is a much travelled striker in his career. It started at Brazilian club EC Vitoria when just aged 16. A year later he joined Premiership giants Arsenal where he was a team mate to 3 current Reading players - Graham Stack, Steve Sidwell and James Harper.

His next club was St Etienne in France, where he joined forces with another Reading player in Ibrahima Sonko. The pair have remained good friends since there spell in France.

Eric then moved to another country in Europe, this time Germany and he joined Stuttgarter Kickers before making the move to Bundesliga giants Kaiserslautern. But following his release he has gone back to England in hope of earning a new deal.

Speaking to the official Reading FC website, Royals boss Steve Coppell said;

"Eric is a player who impressed us during a trial period, and we feel this is a great opportunity for him to make an impression on the English game."

Director of Football Nick Hammond said;

"Eric has got great pace, moves very well and has good pedigree. Eric is extremely athletic which fits into the mould of player we like, and is a good goalscorer. He might be able to offer something a little bit different and he has fitted in very well."

1871Royals would like to wish Eric all the best during his stay with Reading!

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