ZAK Jules completed his much-anticipated move away from Reading FC to sign for League One side Shrewsbury FC.

The 19-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Motherwell FC, rejected a fresh two-year deal at Madejski Stadium in a bid to find first-team football.

Jules admitted his loan spell in Scotland made him hungry for regular football, which he would not be guaranteed under Royals' boss Jaap Stam. "I’ve just come off the back of a loan to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership," he stated.

"That taste of first team football made me want it more, so coming here on a permanent two-year deal is mentally better for me."

The London-born defender said he was keen to link up with Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst.

He told the club's website: "If the gaffer wasn’t keen on bringing me in then it wouldn’t have been as appealing, because you always want to be somewhere where you’re wanted and valued.

“He’s shown that to me and hopefully I can repay him when we get started and we can get some good results and have a really good season together.

“It’s down to me to gain the manager’s trust and to prove that I am good enough to play in his side.”

Fellow academy graduate Jack Stacey, who starred while on loan at Exeter City last season before blasting them into the play-off finals with a wonder goal against Carlisle, has also left Berkshire to sign for Luton Town.

Stacey is the latest young Royal to depart the club in search for regular playing time after Tariqe Fosu moved to Charlton Athletic last week, while Craig Tanner has joined Motherwell and Aaron Kuhl is still looking for a new club following his release.

Reading Chronicle:

Jack Stacey has left Reading FC.

The Ascot-born defender, who began his career as a winger before switching to right-back, will join former academy player Lawson D'Ath at Kenilworth Road.

Stacey told the club's website: "Lawson said some really good things about Luton, so I'm really excited to get started.

"He said it's a massive club, a club that shouldn't be in League Two, and the atmosphere in the play-offs was unbelievable. I'm really looking forward to getting started.

"The manager has told me about the lads and how they are all great lads, how it's a culture where everyone wants to improve and the facilities at the training ground really give everyone opportunity to do that.

"I'm looking forward to coming in, improving my own game and hopefully helping Luton Town improve."