Akpan completes Reading move

10:11am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Sport By Steve Hollis

Hope Akpan is reported to be having a medical Hope Akpan is reported to be having a medical

Crawley midfielder Hope Akpan has signed for Reading today.

The former Everton youngster underwent a medical with the Premier League outfit before signing until the end of the 2015-16 season.

Reading are expected to pay Reds about £300,000 for his services, although that fee could rise with add-ons.

Akpan joined Crawley on a free transfer at the start of last season and was due to run out of contract at Broadfield Stadium this summer.

Boss Richie Barker had tried to convince the former Everton player to sign a new deal before Christmas but talks stalled.

Reds had rejected an offer from a Championship club prior to their FA Cup tie with Reading at the weekend but accepted an improved offer from the Royals. If the 21-year-old had left in the summer Reds would only have been entitled to compensation set by a tribunal.

Barker said: "No manager likes to sell his best players but we received a very good offer from Reading and this is also a great move for Hope personally.

"Reading had obviously been looking at him before last Saturday’s FA Cup tie and judging by his performance in that game they clearly decided he was good enough to become part of their Premier League squad.

"Hope has come on leaps and bounds when you consider that he wasn’t a regular in League Two last season. He has got himself very fit, worked extremely hard at a lot of aspects of his game and all the management staff here at the club should take credit for the work we have done with him because it has helped him get a move into the best league in the world and we wish him all the best.”

Meanwhile, Crawley have rejected a second offer for defender Kyle McFadzean from an unnamed Championship club. McFadzean signed a new three year deal at the start of the season but Reds' resolve will be tested if the club - believed to be Bolton Wanderers - return with a third offer which meets their valuation.

Comments(2)

ballantrrae says...
12:08pm Tue 8 Jan 13

I imagine that Barker will be disappointed to see Akpan leave especially since he and Simpson have been playing well together in CM.
With luck Reading might loan him back for the rest of the season. Obviously Reading must have been impressed with his performance on Saturday. .A great opportunuty for a young player like Akpan. Credit to Barker for giving the lad a real go this season since he seemed underused last.
Barker will have to move smartly to replace him.

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Bowmanc says...
8:50pm Wed 9 Jan 13

That's a shame, the boy has been outstanding during his time with us and has scored some important goals. (The winner at Harlepool for example)
But CTFC are starting to become a club which brings on players and sells at a profit which is good news for the bank balance.
Now then, lets wish Hope all the best but now get on with the real work of dragging the club into that last play off spot.
I will be writing more about this as we go on but a quick peek at the table suggests that if we all pull as one and stick together then we there is no reason why this club cant grab a remaining play off spot on route to the Championship. Its a once in a lifetime opportunity to create some record beaking magic here in Sussex !!

Come on everyone associated with CTFC the next test is Tranmere away. Three points are availiable !!

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