Ferdinand, 29, has more than 300 appearances in English football and will add a wealth of experience to a young Reading squad.

The defender joins on a free transfer and trained with the Royals today but it is thought he will take a few weeks to reach match speed having not played for almost a year.

Nigel Adkins said: “I’d like to officially welcome Anton to the club, we’re pleased to have signed three players in the last few days with him, Simon Cox and Jamie Mackie.

"I know they will all add to what is a very hard-working group of players.”

Ferdinand - the brother of Rio - came through the West Ham ranks and made his debut for the club in 2003, before moving on to Sunderland, and then QPR.

More recently he had a spell on loan at Bursaspor before moving to Antalyaspor on a permanent deal last summer.

The Peckham-born defender struggled to settle in Turkey and jumped at the chance to return to English football with the Royals.

“It feels fantastic to sign for a club like Reading,” beamed Ferdinand. “The first thing you feel when you come here is that it’s a family environment.

“I’ve been away from English football for a year and had some tough times. "Turkey is a fantastic place to go and play football, but certain things off the field didn’t allow me to enjoy my football. That chapter is closed now, and I’ve opened a new chapter at Reading and I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve got things to prove, to myself and everyone. A lot of people have written me off and doubted me because I’ve been away for a year, but I’m here to prove to people that I can offer a lot to English football.

“I want to offer what I can to Reading, and hopefully that means promotion. I’m champing at the bit to play my first game.

"I don’t know when that will be as I’m lacking match fitness - I’m a bit behind the boys. I’m going to train hard, and when the gaffer thinks I’m ready, then I’ll be ready.”