Royals lost out on two new signings in the week leading up to Monday’s deadline.

But they did seal a late deal to bring striker Murray to the Madejski Stadium on loan until January with a view to signing him permanently for around £1.5 million.

Murray’s arrival came after fellow recruits Anton Ferdinand, Jamie Mackie, Simon Cox and Oliver Norwood were already on board.

And Royals’ director of football Nick Hammond told the Chronicle that winning the battle for Murray’s signature was the manager’s chief priority.

“We would have liked a couple more players but the important thing is the ones we brought in are the right players for us,” stated Hammond.

“But Nigel Adkins was spot on when he told the new owners on Sunday the most important thing was to avoid snatching at any late deals.

“Doing deals for the sake of it is not the way to go but the one deal we did get over the line for Glenn Murray was what the manager really wanted.

“Glenn is a great fit for us. He has an outstanding goalscoring record and we’re delighted to have him.”

Royals captured the 30-year-old Murray minutes before the transfer window closed.

Adkins has been chasing the prolific goalscorer for several months and his arrival will beef up Reading’s attack with Pavel Pogrebnyak among a host of players currently injured.

Murray has an excellent record with 130 goals in 370 games in all competitions during his career.

More recently he has netted 111 times in his last 211 starts and was the Championship’s leading scorer with 30 goals when he last played in the division.

Murray, whose previous clubs include Brighton, Rochdale, Stockport and Carlisle, signs an initial loan deal with the Royals until January 1, with a view to signing a permanent contract in the New Year.

Murray tweeted: “Sad to say I have left @CPFC but happy to announce I have joined @ReadingFC on loan with a view to permanent #CPFC #readingfc.”

The 6ft 1ins forward was sent to Southampton University for fitness testing on Tuesday. He met his new Reading FC team-mates for the first time yesterday and is likely to feature when Adkins’ men return to league action against Fulham on September 13.

Murray was replaced at Selhurst Park by former Royals striker Kevin Doyle, who moved to Neil Warnock’s Eagles from Wolves.

Reading’s five new signings - who have played a total of 1,473 professional games - will add some much-needed experience to Adkins’ youthful squad following the summer departure of Jobi McAnuff, Mikele Leigertwood, Kaspars Gorkss, Stuart Taylor and the now retired Wayne Bridge.