JOEY van den Berg admitted he was glad to turn his back on Dutch football in order to breathe new life into his career.

Van den Berg confessed he had become “sick” of the Eredivise in his homeland Holland and is relishing a fresh challenge in England with Reading FC.

The 30-year-old midfielder arrived on a free transfer on Tuesday, signing a two-year deal after leaving Heerenveen last season.

Van den Berg, who worked under boss Jaap Stam at FC Zwolle, revealed: “I wasn’t really hoping to move to another country, but the last half a year didn’t go too well in Holland.

“I was sick of it by the end because I know all the stadiums, artificial pitches and players.

“It was time for me to think about a move abroad then Jaap came to Reading, we talked and now I’m here too.

“We spoke about how he wants to play football and he was very keen for me to join.”

He added: “I hope I can play well in the Championship. I’ve seen lots of games on television and sometimes you get tired even watching them because the pace and tempo is so high.

“I think I will need to adjust to that but I am the kind of player who always keeps going and always gives his all.

“I prefer to play central midfield where I can defend and attack, but I have also played in defence in the past.”

Van den Berg arrives at Reading with a bad-boy image and poor disciplinary record that saw him sent off seven times and pick up 32 yellow cards during the past four seasons in Holland with Heerenveen and FC Zwolle.

But he insists his reputation often went before him and that he became a soft target for referees.

“I’m not going to be such a victim over here,” he argued. “In Holland a player could make a tackle and not get a card, then I would make a tackle and get one.

“Obviously you can’t prove that, but that’s how it felt.

“I admit I’m not the nicest guy on the pitch, but teams need players who can make lots of tackles and put off your opponents.

“The problem was that in my team in Holland I was the only one making the tackles when you really need more players doing it.

“I always do my best for my team and sometimes that comes with yellow cards.”

Van den Berg met his new teammates – including fellow new signing and Dutchman, Danzell Gravenberch – for the first time on Wednesday.

“I went to the training ground and it was very, very good,” he added. “The Madejski Stadium is also a fantastic place. I can’t wait to play there.

“I didn’t come abroad to meet lots of Dutch players but it’s nice that we have some at Reading along with Jaap and some of his coaches.”

Stam is confident van den Berg could make a big impact in the Championship.

“I know Joey very well as a player and a person,” he explained. “We are looking for players who can play in the Championship and cope with the physical part of it.

“There is a lot of running, nobody ever gives up, so you need players with a winning mentality.

“Joey is mentally and physically strong and you also hope they can add something technically as well.

“He's left footed and can play in a variety of positions in midfield and even centre-back or full-back.

“He's a clever player, very aggressive in his style of play not only against his opponents but also towards his own players to encourage them to do well.

“My experiences at Manchester United showed me you need those kind of players.”