Published: Thursday, 28th January, 2010 4:00pm

Harper leaves Royals for good

by Sportsdesk

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JAMES Harper has left Reading to join Sheffield United on a permanent basis.

The 29-year-old midfielder had been on loan at Bramall Lane until the end of the season.

But that move has now been made permanent, with Harper penning a deal initially until June with the promotion-chasing Blades, with a possible longer contract to follow in the summer.

It is believed Royals will receive compensation from Sheffield United which could boost new manager Brian McDermott's chances of landing another striker on loan.

The move comes only two days after Harper played a key role in the Blades' 3-0 victory over Reading at Bramall Lane, a result which left his now former club second bottom of the Championship.

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell told the SUFC website: "James has started to really develop now and some of the Reading people the other night thought that he was looking like the Harper of old.

"He is getting on the ball and is an infectious character but he can play, and I think that Reading missed having someone like him the other night."

And Blackwell says Harper has become a popular character in South Yorkshire.

"You need someone funny in the dressing-room for the atmosphere, and it endears him to the other players."

Harper made more than 300 appearances for Reading after former boss Alan Pardew signed him from Arsenal in 2001 for £400,000.

He won two promotions with the Royals and was a key players in the club's two Premier League seasons.

His partnership with ex-Royal Steve Sidwell remains one of the most effective midfield combinations in the club's history.

And to see his old club struggling near the bottom of the Championship clearly hurts Harper.

Speaking after Tuesday's Bramall Lane defeat he said: "It was one of those games you try and win but you don't really want to.

"I didn't celebrate when any of our goals went in and I didn't really like it.

"I was at Reading for eight years and I've got a lot of respect for the club. I don't want to see them go down.

"I can see them getting out of it, I'm always positive. I really hope they do, they have 20 games left so there's still plenty of time.

"They've got games like Plymouth and Peterborough at home so it's still in their own hands and hopefully they'll do well.

"I know they have to start winning and I just wish they would get those wins and move up the table.

"I've still got mates at Reading and I still live there. They're the first result I look for every time."

DAVE Mooney has extended his loan deal with Phil Parkinson's Charlton Athletic until the end of the season.

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