Published: Thursday, 24th July, 2008 11:00
Noel Hunt signs for Royals
By Charles Watts
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Noel Hunt has joined Reading on a three-year deal from Dundee United.
READING completed a deal for their first signing of the summer last night with Noel Hunt joining his brother Stephen at the Madejski Stadium.
The 25-year-old winger, who can also play up front, has agreed to join on a three-year deal from Dundee United for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £600,000.
It brings to an end a long pursuit for Steve Coppell who has seen at least two bids knocked back by the SPL club for Hunt’s services.
Coppell said “I’ve known about Noel for many years and I’ve watched his career with interest.
"We felt that he would be a good addition – he’s flexible and a wholehearted player. He can link up play and get on the end of things, and I hope that the impetus of a new mentality will give us a spark.”
The former Dunfermline Athletic star had made it clear that a move to Berkshire interested him when questioned about a possible move last month.
He said: “I knew this had been on the cards and I heard the club had knocked back a bid.
“It’s an honour to be linked with such a big club and obviously it’s something I would be interested in.”
Hunt enjoyed a fine season for the Terrors in the last campaign, hitting 18 goals from midfield as United finished fifth in the SPL.
His fine displays caught the eye of a number of clubs across the border, with Sunderland and Leeds also said to be tracking the Republic of Ireland B international.
But it appears the lure of playing with his older brother proved too strong for Hunt who now looks set to join up with his new team-mates on their tour to Sweden.
He said: “Stephen has spoken to me about how huge (Reading) are. It would be a great move.
“I loved my time at United but this would be a great opportunity for me and I’d love the chance to play with my brother.”
Hunt’s arrival from Dundee United means he and Stephen will become the first siblings to play for Reading since Barry and Tony Wagstaff nearly 40 years ago.
The capture comes just under a week after Reading received £5.5 million for the sale of Dave Kitson to Premier League new boys Stoke City.
While Hunt has played as a striker before he would be seen as more of a replacement for Glen Little, who joined FA Cup winners Portsmouth, and Coppell is now expected to step up his search for a new striker to play alongside Kevin Doyle.
The Royals boss was in Ireland last Sunday to watch 23-year-old Dave Mooney score his 20th goal of the season for Cork City as they beat Drogheda United 1-0.
The six-foot-three-inch tall frontman would seem to be the ideal replacement for Kitson, but Coppell was keeping his cards close to his chest when asked about any possible deal.
He said: “I travel fairly regularly to Ireland. It was just a game I went to.”
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