REECE Oxford revealed he turned down several Championship clubs to sign for Reading FC until the end of the season.

The highly-rated teenager arrived from West Ham on transfer deadline day after boss Slavan Bilic said he was keen for his rising star to learn under Royals manager Jaap Stam.

And Oxford, 18, wants Stam to “smooth out the edges” and make him a better player.

“I had a few teams after me,” declared Oxford, who can play as a centre-back or defensive midfielder. “But when I heard Reading were interested I didn’t think about other teams.

“I just wanted to get into a team that is fighting for promotion.

“At my last Under 23s game I heard Reading were interested. I knew I had to push for that deal with a top three club fighting for promotion.

“It’s a great move for me and hopefully I can get some senior football now.”

Oxford admitted he was too young to remember Stam as a player, but said he has enjoyed watching clips of the ex-Manchester United and Netherlands centre-back in a bid to improve his own game.

“Stam was a massive influence in me coming here,” admitted Oxford.

“He was one of the best in the Premier League and the world in his time. With him as manager it didn’t take much of a push for me to join this club. Hopefully I can learn from him.”

Oxford could make his debut at Ipswich Town this Saturday (3pm), with Tiago Ilori and Joey van den Berg ruled out through injury, though it is though Paul McShane could return having missed Tuesday's 1-0 win at Birmingham City.

“Passing the ball is a big part of my game,” he continued. “I’ve watched a few games. Liam Moore is a good player and hopefully they can all teach me and help me improve.

“All the boys have welcomed me, I’m ready now to get involved and play.”

Stam could face a selection dilemma this weekend as he tries to fit his new signing into Saturday's starting XI as Royals go hunting for a fourth straight league victory.

Yann Kermorgant is available again after missing the trip to St Andrew's and could play alongside his former Bournemouth strike partner, Lewis Grabban, who joined on deadline day for the rest of the season.

Jordon Mutch, another loanee who made a short-term move from Crystal Palace on Tuesday, is also in contention, as is Romania midfielder Adrian Popa, signed from Steaua Bucharest for around £500,000 on a three-and-a-half year contract on Monday.

But finding a place for the new arrivals including Oxford could be tricky given the current form of Garath McCleary, John Swift, Roy Beerens and Liam Kelly, who are regular starters under Stam.

Oxford, Mutch and Grabban wasted no time in settling in and took part in their first Royals training session yesterday before a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford at Hogwood Park.

Meanwhile, Dominic Samuel is not allowed to play against Reading this weekend as a condition of his loan move to Ipswich for the rest of the season.

However, Manchester City and Wales midfielder Emyr Huws could made his debut for Mick McCarthy's Tractor Boys after signing a loan deal late in the window.

Ipswich are currently 17th in the table, with Reading third and four points behind Newcastle United who drew 2-2 with QPR last night.