Royals announced they had captured the 30-year-old on loan minutes before last night’s 11pm transfer window closed.

Boss Nigel Adkins has been chasing the prolific goalscorer for several months and his arrival will beef up Reading’s attack with Pavel Pogrebnyak among a host of players currently injured.

Murray has an excellent record with 130 goals in 370 games in all competitions during his career.

More recently he has netted 111 times in his last 211 starts and was the Championship’s leading scorer with 30 goals when he last played in the division.

Murray, whose previous clubs include Brighton, Rochdale, Stockport and Carlisle, signs an initial loan deal with the Royals until January 1, with a view to signing a permanent contract in the New Year.

Murray tweeted: “Sad to say I have left @CPFC but happy to announce I have joined @ReadingFC on loan with a view to permanent #CPFC #readingfc.”

The 6ft 1ins forward will training with his new Reading FC team-mates later this week and is likely to feature when Adkins’ men return to league action against Fulham on September 13.

Has been replaced at Selhurst Park by former Royals striker Kevin Doyle, who moved to Neil Warnock’s Eagles from Wolves yesterday.

Murray became Reading’s fifth signing of the summer after Simon Cox, Jamie Mackie, Anton Ferdinand and Oliver Norwood.

The quintet - who have played a total of 1,473 professional games - will add some much-needed experience to Adkins’ youthful squad following the summer departure of Jobi McAnuff, Mikele Leigertwood, Kaspars Gorkss, Stuart Taylor and the now retired Wayne Bridge.

Adkins continued his clear-out yesterday by loaning ex-Real Madrid winger Royston Drenthe, 27, to Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday until January.