Mikele Leigertwood joins Reading on loan from Queens Park Rangers
Midfielder Mikele Leigertwood has joined Reading on loan from Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers.
Leigertwood has signed on a two-month loan deal and will provide valuable cover as a versatile midfielder over the busy Christmas period. He has been made available to play for Reading as early as this
weekend.
"We're delighted to get Mikele in on loan.
He is a player who has earned promotion to the Premier League before, via the play-offs with Crystal Palace
and who has worn the captain's armband at QPR," Reading manager Brian McDermott told the club's official website.
Leigertwood has joined Reading with a great deal of experience under his belt. He's played 59 games for Crystal Palace, 21 for Sheffield United and currently 122 for QPR.
He also spent a large part of his youth at Wimbledon.
This means he can bring some calm and assurance into the Reading midfield, which will be vital in setting the club up for a good after the turn of the year and heading
towards spring.
"Mikele brings a wealth of experience through the door and I am surprised
QPR have allowed us to sign a player with such ability and experience," added McDermott.
It is extremely unlikely that Reading will be allowed to keep Leigertwood on a permanent basis after this loan spell. The only reason QPR has allowed the move is because
there is ample cover in the London club's squad.
There should be the possibility of extending the loan deal when it expires on 25 January, this could possibly run for another one or two months. However, it's clear from
McDermott's comments that the club will cross that bridge when it arrives. For now, everyone connected with Reading needs to focus on the match against Leeds United this weekend.
Betting advice
Reading has been a very unpredictable side over the last 12 months. Leigertwood should instil some confidence and consistency into the Reading midfield. It's also worth
having a little bet on him scoring for the club in the near future because the odds will be good and he'll be determined to do well.
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