READING Rockets have signed British pair Sydney Donaldson and Jonny Foulds for the 2017-2018 season.

The duo join up with new signings Tim Gill and Scotty Hendricks who in turn joined returnees Danny Carter, Joel Keeble, and Ali Sbai.

Donaldson is another player well known to the Rockets as the 6ft 3in guard was a prominent part of NBL Division One rivals Derby Trailblazers during the 2015-2016 season, but also the son of a familiar figure to the Reading outfit Robert ‘Dip’ Donaldson who was a player-coach in the ’00’s at Coventry Crusaders.

The 26-year-old graduated from the College of Idaho of NAIA Division Two in 2015, averaging 15 points and five rebounds in his senior year, and is a player Rockets have admired for a couple of years. Donaldson said: “I was very excited when I saw that coach Manuel (Pena Garces) and chairman (Gary) Johnson had reached out to me as I am well aware of the great history this club has.

“After learning more about the vision, I quickly realised this was something I wanted to be a part of. I am very thankful for the opportunity and am looking forward to pursuing all that’s in store for me in Reading.”

Foulds played at Tees Valley Mohawks alongside American Scotty Hendricks. The 6ft 5in guard/forward spent three seasons with the North East outfit before suiting up for NBL Division Two champions Kent Crusaders last time out.

The Englishman is currently studying for a Masters at the University of East London, but is really looking forward to the opportunity of pulling on a Rockets jersey.

He said: “I am excited for the upcoming season. The club has a great coaching staff and an extremely supportive fan base. Having competed against them in previous seasons the professionalism of the club has always stood out to me and it’s exciting to be a part of the talented team we are going to have this season.”

Peña Garcés added: “We are really excited about Sydney and Jonny joining us. They are both exciting players and bring different things to the team as well as complement the squad we already have. I am looking forward to working with them both and I am sure their time in Reading will be a really positive one.”