ROYSTON Drenthe took to social media to announce his own arrival at Reading FC.

The ex-Real Madrid star penned a three-year deal yesterday (Wednesday) after passing a medical at Madejski Stadium.

The club declined to comment on the signing, but Drenthe took the matter into his own hands and posted a picture of himself wearing Reading's latest training kit at the Madejski on Instagram.

The 26-year-old midfielder is pictured with his thumbs up alongside a short message of '#nr10 #readingfc super happy !!'.

The #nr10 is believed to mean he will inherit the number 10 shirt vacated by Noel Hunt who has been released after five years with the Royals.

Ex-Dutch international Drenthe made nearly 50 appearances during a five-year stint with Real Madrid and spent the 2011/12 Premier League season on loan at Everton.

The former Feyenoord trainee was released by FC Alania following their relegation from Russia's top-flight and joins Royals on a free transfer.

Drenthe, who spoke to boss Nigel Adkins, below, and owner Anton Zingarevich earlier this week, said: "Reading have looked after me very well. They seem like a fantastic club, everything is great.

"Six months ago I would never have expected to return to England but I feel confident and have a good relationship with the club's owner."

Drenthe becomes arguably the most high-profile signing in Reading's history and the second completed by Adkins in a week following the capture of Wayne Bridge, also on a free transfer.

And while Drenthe's decision to join a Championship club will raise a few eyebrows, he says he is determined to help the club bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

"I have not signed for three years for nothing," he declared. "We want to make big steps forward. We want to play good football."

Drenthe will meet his new team-mates when Reading return to pre-season training at Hogwood Park on Thursday, June 27.