READING FC Academy graduate Dominic Samuel has joined League One Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee, writes Jacob Potter.
Reading released a statement this afternoon confirming Samuel's departure to Ewood Park.
The fee is believed to be in the region of £500,000 as Samuel has one year remaining on his contract.
The 23-year-old was also being chased by former loan club Ipswich Town, but opted for a move to Blackburn where he penned a three-year deal.
Samuel tweeted: “Deal Done. Happy and grateful to sign for Blackburn Rovers. Would like to say thank you to Reading Football Club for what they have done for me in the last five years. Bring on the season.”
Deal Done , Happy and grateful to sign for Blackburn Rovers, Would like to say thank you to… https://t.co/kkkKM0oBxD
— Doms (@DominicSamuel9) July 19, 2017
London-born Samuel enjoyed a prolific run in the Royals Academy but made only 16 first-team appearances, scoring two goals.
He also had loan spells with Colchester United, Coventry City and Gillingham during his time with Royals.
He becomes Blackburn's fifth signing this summer, joining Peter Whittingham, Richie Smallwood, Ben Gladwin and Bradley Dack as Rovers seek promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Samuel will now be looking to nail down a place in Tony Mowbray's starting line-up during pre-season.
His departure sparked a mixed reaction from Reading supporters, some of whom believe he still had a point to prove at Madejski Stadium, while others felt he needed to move in order to secure regular first-team football.
Right. Needs to play regularly and far too injury prone. He'll do well in L1.
— Gorman 🅥 (@One87One) July 19, 2017
But his transfer from Reading leaves boss Jaap Stam with limited attacking options as Yann Kermorgant is recovering from hip and groin surgery, Joseph Mendes is injured and Yakou Meite has been loaned to French club Sochaux on loan.
We NEED more firepower up top so you get rid of a forward with no-one lined up?
— Matt (@MattJamesJoy) July 19, 2017
However, Stam has already added one new striker to his ranks with the signing of Jon Dadi Bovardsson from Wolves for a seven-figure fee and is set to bring in more attacking reinforcements during the transfer window.
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