ORLANDO Sa's disastrous spell at Reading FC has ended following the striker's permanent move to Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The 27-year-old joined the Israeli Premier League Champions today after an ill-fated six-month stay with the Royals.

Sa was former boss Steve Clarke's marquee summer signing after arriving from Legia Warsaw for around £1.2 million.

The Portuguese forward penned a three-year deal but has now been off-loaded only months later after failing to impress manager Brian McDermott.

Sa scored give goals in 21 games for the Royals including a hat-trick in a 5-1 home victory against Ipswich Town in September.

He was sent off in the next match, a 1-0 home defeat to Derby County, after headbutting Jason Shackell, earning a three-match ban.

He scored only once in his last 13 appearances for the club and dropped down the pecking order following the signing of Yann Kermorgant from Bournemouth last week.

Reading says Sa joined Maccabi Tel Aviv for an 'undisclosed fee' after signing a three-and-a-half year deal. He was also being chased by AEK Athens.

Sa's final appearance in a Reading shirt came in last week's FA Cup win against Huddersfield Town when he replaced hat-trick hero Matej Vydra in the 89th minute.

Sa becomes the second striker to lesave Reading in January following Nick Blackman's £4m switch to Championship rivals Derby.

McDermott said recently:“If there's an acceptable offer like there was for Nick Blackman, the club are open to it. That's where we are.

“It's harsh. I've been her a month but my gut feeling is what it is, and I go on gut feeling and what's right for the group.

“I have no problem with Orlando, he's been great. He's a good guy, he works hard in training and when he's picked he does his best.

“There is no problem with him as a person but it's never easy being a manager when you are trying to manager 25 or 30 players.”

Reading will attempt to replace Sa before next Monday's transfer deadline following strong links to Latvia striker, Deniss Rakels.

Polish media say Royals have had a £400,000 bid accepted by his club, Cracovia Kraków.