London – Premier League newcomers Reading have agreed personal terms with Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak and expect he will be granted a work permit in the next few days.
Club manager Brian McDermott had said earlier in the week that a deal had been agreed for the transfer after the player had passed a medical test.
“Reading Football Club has agreed terms with Pavel Pogrebnyak to join the club,” read a statement on club website readingfc.co.uk.
“The player has already completed a medical and the deal is now only subject to the player obtaining a UK work permit.
Pogrebnyak is out of contract this summer and it has been reported the Barclays Premier League new boys have offered him a four-year deal worth around £65,000 a week.
The 28-year-old forward spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham from German side Stuttgart, netting six goals in 12
appearances, but rejected the offer of a permanent deal with the Cottagers.
Confirmation of the deal comes a day after Reading secured the signing of midfielder Danny Guthrie on a three-year contract. Sapa-AFP