ALI Al-Habsi admitted the chance to play under Steve Clarke is what drew him to Reading FC.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper penned a two-year deal on Tuesday, becoming Clarke’s fifth summer signing after Orlando Sa, Stephen Quinn, Paul McShane and fellow stopper Jonathan Bond.

And ex-Bolton and Wigan star Al-Habsi says playing for Clarke and working with new goalkeeper coach, Dave Beasant, was an opportunity he could not refuse.

He told the Chronicle: “I’m very happy with my 10 years here in England, but sometimes you need a new challenge and I have that here at Reading.

“The main thing that brought me to Reading was Steve Clarke and the confidence he showed in me. When I spoke to him for the first time I was very happy.

“He is a great manager and he has great experience and the players he has brought in will be very impressive this season.

“Everyone has been so nice from day one, so I knew this was the club for me.

“Reading are determined to have a great season and as a player that’s what you also want.

“Some of the young players look fantastic and you have to have a mixture of youth and experience.

“I think we can compete in this division next season. We have players with Premier League and Championship experience so I really think we can challenge for promotion.” The chance to join Reading is clearly the fresh start Al-Habsi was looking for.

But he admits there are no guarantees he will be Clarke’s first choice this season, with England Under 21 stopper Bond offering plenty of competition following the departures of Adam Federici and Mikkel Andersen over the summer.

“Jonathan Bond is fantastic and he will fight for the No.1 spot,” admitted Al-Habsi. “It’s the gaffer’s decision who he picks.

“Bondy is still young but 33 isn’t old for a goalkeeper either, you can play until you are 40. I just have to work hard in training.

“It will also be great to work with a different goalkeeping coach. I met Dave Beasant once when he came to the training ground at Wigan, he’s a legend.” Al-Habsi is already beginning to feel at home in Berkshire and he says he plans to move his family to the area over the coming weeks.

The Oman international – who boasts 106 international caps – will then begin the process of winning over Royals supporters.

“My family will be moving to Reading,” he explained. “My little girl was very excited when I told her I had signed.

“I was very happy at Bolton and Wigan where I had great respect from the fans.

“To gain respect from the fans here I know I have to work hard.

“I have played against Reading many times in my career, they have a superb stadium and supporters.” ALI Al-Habsi admitted the chance to play under Steve Clarke is what drew him to Reading FC.

The 33-year-old goalkeeper penned a two-year deal on Tuesday, becoming Clarke’s fifth summer signing after Orlando Sa, Stephen Quinn, Paul McShane and fellow stopper Jonathan Bond.

And ex-Bolton and Wigan star Al-Habsi says playing for Clarke and working with new goalkeeper coach, Dave Beasant, was an opportunity he could not refuse.

He told the Chronicle: “I’m very happy with my 10 years here in England, but sometimes you need a new challenge and I have that here at Reading.

“The main thing that brought me to Reading was Steve Clarke and the confidence he showed in me. When I spoke to him for the first time I was very happy.

“He is a great manager and he has great experience and the players he has brought in will be very impressive this season.

“Everyone has been so nice from day one, so I knew this was the club for me.

“Reading are determined to have a great season and as a player that’s what you also want.

“Some of the young players look fantastic and you have to have a mixture of youth and experience.

“I think we can compete in this division next season. We have players with Premier League and Championship experience so I really think we can challenge for promotion.” The chance to join Reading is clearly the fresh start Al-Habsi was looking for.

But he admits there are no guarantees he will be Clarke’s first choice this season, with England Under 21 stopper Bond offering plenty of competition following the departures of Adam Federici and Mikkel Andersen over the summer.

“Jonathan Bond is fantastic and he will fight for the No.1 spot,” admitted Al-Habsi. “It’s the gaffer’s decision who he picks.

“Bondy is still young but 33 isn’t old for a goalkeeper either, you can play until you are 40. I just have to work hard in training.

“It will also be great to work with a different goalkeeping coach. I met Dave Beasant once when he came to the training ground at Wigan, he’s a legend.” Al-Habsi is already beginning to feel at home in Berkshire and he says he plans to move his family to the area over the coming weeks.

The Oman international – who boasts 106 international caps – will then begin the process of winning over Royals supporters.

“My family will be moving to Reading,” he explained. “My little girl was very excited when I told her I had signed.

“I was very happy at Bolton and Wigan where I had great respect from the fans.

“To gain respect from the fans here I know I have to work hard.

“I have played against Reading many times in my career, they have a superb stadium and supporters.”