JAAP Stam believes new Reading FC signing Sone Aluko will be a threat to any Championship defence.

Royals smashed their transfer record by landing Aluko from Fulham for around £7.5m last night.

The tricky 28-year-old forward completed a medical yesterday afternoon before penning a four-year deal, having turned down a string of offers elsewhere.

And Stam is confident his seventh signing of the summer will be a major attacking force.

“In Sone, we welcome a quality player into our squad,” said Stam, who also hopes to sign Norwich striker Nelson Oliveira before Thursday’s 11pm deadline.

“With his pace and ability on the ball, he can make life difficult for every opponent we face this season and he has experience of playing at the level we want to play at.

“He poses a threat going forward, he keeps the ball well, he can play as a striker or out on the wing and I am sure he will improve us as a squad.

“I’m very happy that he has chosen to join us.”

Hounslow-born Aluko had been linked with a string of Championship clubs including Leeds United, but he opted to join Royals after an outstanding year with the Cottagers last season.

He netted nine times in 50 appearances as Slavisa Jokanovic’s side finished in the top six only to lose to Reading in the play-off semi-finals.

Aluko began his career with Birmingham City, was loaned to Aberdeen and Blackpool, then signed for Aberdeen permanently in 2008.

Reading Chronicle:

Sone Aluko in action for Fulham. 

He netted nine times in 96 appearances for The Dons, leading to a brief switch to Rangers in 2011. Less than a year later after 12 goals in 23 games he was on the move again, this time to Hull City, helping Tigers win promotion to the Premier League during his first season.

He was also a substitute in the Hull side that lost 3-2 to Arsenal in the 2014 FA Cup final, replacing fellow Royal Stephen Quinn.

Aluko made 108 appearances for Hull, scoring 15 times, before joining Fulham in summer 2016, leading to an eventual switch to Reading yesterday.

The seven-capped Nigeria international could now make his Royals debut after the international break when Stam’s men host Bristol City on September 9.

And Reading chief executive Ron Gourlay says the club-record signing of Aluko is a real statement of intent from the club’s Chinese owners.

“Acquiring a player of Aluko’s unquestionable talent demonstrates this club’s ambition and hunger for more success,” said the former Chelsea supermo.

“I am very pleased that Sone has opted to become a part of what we are trying to build here at Reading and I am sure he will prove an exciting addition to our first team squad.”

Reading sporting director Brian Tevreden added: “Sone has been a target throughout the summer and I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to get this deal over the line.

“We are bringing in a very talented player who in the prime of his career at 28 and as our seventh summer signing, Sone will add to a squad which now has ability in abundance and strength in depth.”

Aluko, whose sister, Eniola, plays for England Women, will wear the squad number 14.