Reading have announced the signing of Republic of Ireland forward Shane Long on a one-year deal. The Tipperary native returns to the Championship outfit 11 years after leaving the club that first brought him to England from Cork City.
The move comes after Long’s eight-year stint with Southampton ended at the end last season after he was released by the Hampshire club. He joins fellow Ireland international Jeff Hendrick in making the move to Reading this summer after the midfielder left Newcastle on loan.
Long has 88 caps for the Republic of Ireland with 17 goals to his name.
Speaking about the move, Reading’s head of football operations Mark Bowen, said: “When he first arrived at this club, very few fans will have known anything about Shane Long. But now, he needs absolutely no introduction to Royals supporters.
The top 25 women’s sporting moments of the year: top spot revealed with Katie Taylor, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kellie Harrington featuring
Irish WWE star Lyra Valkyria: ‘At its core, we’re storytellers. Everything comes down to good versus evil’
Ken Early on World Cup draw: Ireland face task to overcome Hungary, their football opposites
Is there anything good about the 2034 World Cup going to Saudi Arabia?
“A return to the club where it all began for Shane has been rumoured for a number of years, so I am delighted to have made that rumour a reality.”
Reading boss Paul Ince added: “The arrival of Shane is something of a football fairytale for Reading fans. 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.”
In other news, Dawson Devoy has made the move from Bohemians FC to MK Dons in League One for an undisclosed fee.
The Ireland U21 international has impressed during the current Airtricity League campaign having notched eight goals, the most recent a stunner during a losing effort against Derry at Dalymount Park.
“I’m delighted to be here,” Devoy told iFollow MK Dons after completing his move. “It’s been a long time coming but I’m happy to get the deal done and I am looking forward to getting started.
“I enjoyed my time at Bohs but if I want to take my career to the next level, this is the right move for me. Everyone I spoke to about here said how it’s a really good, family club and I have seen that myself already.
“I can’t wait to get going here in England. The stadium is unbelievable and I can’t ask for a better place to play. It’s a good group here and one that looks like its going places – I can’t get wait to get going.”
