YANN Kermorgant says a spot of team bonding in Holland has helped the new-look Reading FC squad grow closer together.

Boss Jaap Stam took his players to Oosterbeek for a week of training in preparation for the Championship season.

Five summer signings – John Swift, Anssi Jaakkola, Joseph Mendes, Joey van den Berg and Danzell Gravenberch – travelled with the team before Stam added another new face on Friday by landing Hertha Berlin winger, Roy Beerens, on a three-year deal.

And Kermorgant believes that spending the week together brought plenty of positives.

“A training camp is really important in pre-season – it is massive,” said the 34-year-old striker.

“You need to take your head away from the training ground and just be together. It is good to have a long week like we did where we’re working hard and have some time together.

“It has been good to play a few games and do things together at the hotel, and not just on the iPad or a phone on your own – it is good to have some fun together.

“They are all good lads here. We try to make sure the new boys are settling well and we are doing everything we can to take them into the squad and make sure they are happy with the atmosphere.”

Reading capped off a memorable week in Holland by defeating Saudi Arabian top-tier side Al-Taawoun 3-1 in Arnhem on Friday night.

Kermorgant put the icing on the cake by curling home a delicious free-kick in the final minute for Royals' third goal.

On own goal gifted Reading the lead when a stray back-pass ended up in the Al-Taawoun net.

Stam's men went 2-0 up soon after through Danny Williams and, although their opponents pulled one back, Kermorgant sealed the victory with a late piece of magic.

However, the Frenchman admitted there is still plenty of work to be done before the team is ready for the Championship opener against Preston North End on Saturday, August 6.

“The games are here to build your fitness and to get some connection between the players,” explained the ex-Bournemouth striker.

“We are working with the new system with the manager so we need some games to get used to it, so hopefully we will be ready in three weeks for the start of the season.

“You need to improve every game. If you ask us whether we are ready today, then of course we are not. We need to work hard again and carry on playing and training. We have three weeks to be ready for the start of the season.

“The games are the most important aspect. You can work on things in training but the truth is on the pitch in the games. That is where you can see whether the things you have worked on during the week is working on the pitch.”

Reading step up their pre-season preparations this week with two more friendlies – away to Swindon Town on Tuesday (7.45pm ko) and then AFC Wimbledon this Saturday (3pm ko).

Kermorgant added: “We had a good game on Friday. It was not an easy game to be fair because they played quite well.

“And on Tuesday we will have another test against Swindon, who are a good team as well.”