LEWIS Grabban insists he would not have joined Reading FC if he did not believe they were capable of promotion.

Grabban became Reading’s fifth January signing when he penned a loan deal from Bournemouth for the rest of the season shortly before the transfer window closed on Tuesday night.

The 29-year-old striker followed West Ham defender, Reece Oxford, and Crystal Palace midfielder, Jordon Mutch, to Madejski Stadium on short-term contracts on deadline day.

That came 24 hours after boss Jaap Stam landed Romanian midfielder Adrian Popa from Steaua Bucharest on a three-and-a-half year deal, while Royals also broke their transfer record earlier in the window by signing Tiago Ilori from Liverpool for around £3m.

Grabban admitted he was out-of-favour at his parent club under Cherries boss Eddie Howe, and had a host of offers on the table.

But the lure of Stam’s style of football proved to be the clincher.

He told the Chronicle: “I had a few offers from other clubs but I felt that Reading’s style of play suits the way I want to play.

“I like the manager’s philosophy and the ambitions of what they want to achieve this season.

“Over the years it’s well documented that Bournemouth like to pass the ball. It’s always good to be part of a team that wants to play the right way instead of smashing it long.”

He also declared: “If I didn’t think Reading could get promoted then I wouldn’t have come here.

“I think there is definitely a good chance of getting promotion this season.

“I’m always trying to be a threat to the opposition team. I just want to try and work hard and contribute positively.”

Grabban disclosed he spoke to former Royals goalkeeper Adam Federici before making the switch to Berkshire.

“Adam sent me a message and just wished me well and told me to get Reading promoted,” he explained. “I’ve had a warm welcome and I’ve had lots of nice messages from the fans.”

The deal will keep Grabban at Reading until the end of the season, but with two years remaining on his contract at Vitality Stadium, he admitted he does not know where his long-term future lies.

“At this moment in time it’s just a loan, but we never know what the future holds,” he added.

Grabban took part in his first training session on Wednesday and could make his debut in Saturday’s clash at Ipswich Town, possibly alongside his former Bournemouth strike partner, Yann Kermorgant.

“I’ve played against Ipswich before so I know what they’re about,” he stressed.

As the Chronicle revealed last week, Reading’s coffers were recently boosted by a £10.4m loan from a Chinese consortium attempting to take over the club.

The deal has been dragging on for weeks and is yet to be ratified by the Football League.

And although Stam has voiced his frustration over the delay, he is clearly grateful for the extra funds to strengthen their promotion push.

“We needed to have extra bodies in the squad when you look at the number of games towards the end of the season,” stated Stam, with Reading currently third in the Championship table. “Maybe we will have injuries and suspensions that will stretch us.

“Reece Oxford gives us an extra defender, he’s young and very talented. Jordan Mutch has the experience that maybe other players in the squad don’t have.”