Transfer Talk: Reading sign Bridge

FORMER Sunderland defender Wayne Bridge has agreed a one-year deal with relegated Reading after his release by Manchester City.

“I’m delighted to be signing for Reading and excited to be joining a team that is going to be looking for promotion next season,” Bridge said to Reading official website

“I spoke to the manager and he told me about the direction he wants the team to go in. Everything we talked about was positive - and he was really positive about signing me which means a lot.

“And, from the outside, Reading look like a team who are capable of getting back into the Premier League, a team that works hard for each other. That is something I want to be a part of and I’m really looking forward to next season.”

Bridge, who has played 36 times for England, will fill the left-back position vacated by Ian Harte and Nicky Shorey, who were both released by Reading last month.

He started his career at Southampton, before signing for Chelsea and then City.

Injuries and losses of form though hampered his form at both clubs, while he has also had spells out on loan at Fulham, Sunderland and West Ham United.