Reading have signed striker, Shane Long on a free transfer following his release from Southampton.
Long began his career at Cork City in July 2004 on a scholarship and proceeded to make two first-team appearances in 2005 season, before he was signed by Reading where he went on to score 54 goals in 203 appearances across seven seasons.
During his first stint at Reading, he also helped the Royals clinch promotion as Championship champions in 2005-06 season, with the club spending two seasons in the top-flight before they suffered relegation back to the second-tier.
A move to West Bromwich Albion followed in August 2011 where he scored 22 goals in 87 appearances over two-and-a-half seasons, as the Baggies enjoyed solid mid-table campaigns in the Premier League before he was signed by Hull City in January 2014.
Long ultimately spent just eight months on Humberside during which he netted four goals in 17 appearances, only for Southampton to swoop for the Republic of Ireland international who went on to deliver 37 goals in 245 appearances across last eight seasons at St Mary’s Stadium.
Whilst at Southampton, Long spent the second-half of 2020-21 season on loan at South-Coast rivals, Bournemouth where he scored twice in 12 appearances for the Cherries, but was cup-tied and ineligible for the Cherries’ FA Cup Quarter-Final exit against the Saints.
At the end of last season, Southampton decided not to renew Long’s contract which expired on 1 July, which freed the striker to make a free transfer to Reading on an one-year contract until June 2023.
Speaking about the decision to bring Long back to the Madejski Stadium, manager – Paul Ince commented: “The arrival of Shane is something of a football fairytale for Reading fans.”
Ince however iterated that Long’s return was judged solely on what he can add to the squad as he explained: “But make no mistake about it – he is coming into the dressing room purely on the merits of what he can offer this squad out on the pitch.
“Experience, energy, leadership, desire and a natural instinct you need to score goals…Shane will be an important addition to the group we are patiently trying to build and grow.”
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