READING FC have swooped to sign free agent John Swift on a three-year deal.

The highly-rated 21-year-old was released by Chelsea at the end of last season and had been linked with a host of Championship clubs.

But Royals won the race by offering Swift a contract for three years with the option of a fourth.

Swift becomes Reading's fifth summer signing after Anssi Jaakkola, Joseph Mendes, Joey van den Berg and Danzell Gravenberch.

It is also believed boss Jaap Stam is on the verge of landing Hertha Berlin winger, Roy Beerens, for around £900,000 after the Dutchman's move to Stuttgart fell through last week.

And Stam says Swift, who won the Toulon tournament with Gareth Southgate's England Under 21s in May, fits perfectly into his vision for the future.

“John is a very talented player,” stated Stam. “I’ve seen him play and I think he could be very important in the way we want to play.

"He can play as a winger on either side, or as an attacking midfielder.

“His physique is good, he is good on the ball, he has the pace to get past players, and he has the capability of putting his teammates in front of goal with chances to score.

“He is going to be a big asset for the club."

Portsmouth-born Swift spent last season on loan at Brentford in an effort to gain match experience after struggling to break into the Chelsea first team.

He bagged seven goals in 27 games for the Bees including a brace against Wolves and one against Huddersfield on his final appearance.

Swift joined Chelsea's Academy in 2007 when former Reading boss Brendan Rodgers was in charge.

He won the FA Youth Cup in 2012 in a Blues side that contained former Royals loanees Nathaniel Chalobah, Nathan Ake and Lucas Piazon.

That was followed by the U21 Premier League title in 2014, with Swift contributing nine goals in 26 games.

His one and only first-team appearance for Chelsea came that same year when he replaced Eden Hazard in a 2-1 win against Cardiff City.

Swift went on to enjoy loan spells at Rotherham United, Swindon Town and the Brentford where he became a fans' favourite at Griffin Park.

He has represented England at every level from Under 16 to Under 21.