READING FC signed three new players on one of the busiest deadline days for the club in recent years.

Royals made headlines back in 1997 when the club's late ex-manager Tommy Burns made seven deadline-day signings.

And today's activity also got Royals' pulses racing after boss Steve Clarke flexed his muscles in the transfer market by signing Watford's Matej Vydra, Chelsea's Lucas Piazon and Benfica winger Ola John.

There was one major blow for Reading fans when it was revealed Michael Hector had joined Chelsea in a shock £4 million deal shortly before the window shut at 6pm.

But there was even a silver lining to Hector's move to Stamford Bridge as the 23-year-old defender will be loaned back to Royals for the remainder of this season.

Clarke, who used to work under Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, insisted: “This is a great reward for Michael’s strong performances in the second half of last season.

“I’m delighted for him that he has joined Chelsea and I’m sure that he will seize his opportunity with both hands.
“Also it’s a good deal for us here at Reading as we get to keep Michael in our squad this season and I look forward to helping him further his development.”

Clarke also used his Chelsea ties to bring in versatile forward, Piazon, to the Madejski Stadium also on loan for the season, as exclusively revealed by the Chronicle last week.

The 21-year-old had a number of options on the table but chose for a switch to the Royals.

"Lucas is a very talented attacking player who can create chances and score goals,” said Clarke.

“When we spoke I was impressed by both his maturity and desire to prove himself in English football after some loan moves to European leagues. I’m sure Lucas will bring something extra to our squad this season."

Reading were in the hunt for Piazon's Blues teammate, Nathaniel Chalobah, but the 21-year-old midfielder joined Italian club Napoli rather than opting for a second loan spell with Reading.

Clarke also missed out on long-term target, Robert Beric, after the 24-year-old striker joined St Etienne from Rapid Vienna yesterday.

With Pavel Pogrebnyak already gone following his move to Dynamo Moscow last week, Clarke was forced to step up his interest in Watford striker Vydra.

The 23-year-old – named the Championship's best player in 2013 – was being tracked by several clubs but agreed a one-year loan deal with Royals earlier today.

It is thought Reading paid Watford a £2.5 million loan bonus as part of the deal for Vydra, who netted 38 goals in 101 games for the Hornets.

Clarke worked with Vydra during his time at West Bromwich Albion, and he revealed: “When I heard last week that it might be possible for Matej to come out of Watford on loan I immediately made him my priority target. Thanks to a lot of effort and great backing from the owners, we now have in our squad for this season a proven Championship goalscorer.
“I don’t need to highlight Matej’s qualities as they are there for all to see. This is a signing that should excite everyone connected with Reading and I look forward to working with Matej for a second time.”

Vydra's arrival was swiftly followed by Dutch international John, who also joins on loan for the season from Benfica.
The 23-year-old helped Benfica win the Primeira Liga, the Super Cup and the Taça da Liga (League Cup) treble last season - scoring the winner in the final of the latter against Maritimo.
Clarke added: "The chance to sign Ola came about very late in the window but we felt it was well worth the effort to force the deal through. He is an attacker with power and pace, the ability to beat a man and deliver quality balls into the box and also an eye for a goal himself.

“With these qualities, added to the players we already have in the club, Ola should help ensure that we are a more potent attacking team this season."
John became Reading's 12th summer signing along with Vydra, Piazon, Orlando Sa, Paolo Hurtado, Jonathan Bond, Ali Al-Habsi, Alex Fernandez, Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn and Andrew Taylor.
Meanwhile, Royals midfielder Aaron Kuhl has joined Scottish Premier League side, Dundee United, on loan until January 2016.