Williams says Reading move is "biggest of career"

Anthony Smith • Published 16 May 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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MARCUS Williams believes joining Reading could be the most important move of his career following his switch from Scunthorpe United.

The 24-year-old left-back penned a three-year deal on Monday following his free transfer from Glanford Park.

And the Doncaster-born player believes the big move to Berkshire could help him fullfil his Premier League ambitions.

Reading narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs but they have shown promotion-winning form throughout 2010 under boss Brian McDermott.

Speaking exclusively to the Chronicle, Williams said: "I've been at Scunthorpe all my career so this is my first move and to be joining a big club like Reading is a dream.

"I believe the timing of it couldn't be better because I've matured a lot. I believe it's time to move on and prove to people that I belong at a place like Reading.

"Obviously every player wants to compete at the highest level and Reading is perfect in that respect.

"Hopefully the team can start next season the way they finished the last and we can challenge for promotion, I want to go up with Reading."

Royals have been tracking Williams for months as they searched for a replacement for Ryan Bertrand who has gone back to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell.

With Chris Armstrong also facing possible retirement this summer through a long-term knee injury, Royals were desperately short in the left-back position.

And Williams says once he knew of Reading's interest he could not wait to join: "Brian McDermott has done an exceptional job since he's been here," he declared.

"We chatted a lot about every aspect of football and I was really interested to hear what he had to say. He really made me feel like I'm wanted here and he's been watching me for a while.

"It's not like he bought me on the back of a few video clips, he has watched me numerous times and he knows what I'm about on and off the pitch.

"It also helps that he's a really nice guy and we get on very well."

Williams established himself as an attacking left-back for Scunny with 196 appearances over the last four years.

And he is in that rare position for a player in signing for a rival Championship club with everyone's blessing, including Irons boss Nigel Adkins.

"Everyone is happy for me, my family and friends are delighted and I'm so excited," he explained.

"I left Scunthorpe on good terms. I spoke with Nigel Adkins and he always knew it was an opportunity too good to turn down.

"It's so important to have people behind you and supporting you because I'm moving a long way away from all my friends and family up here.

"Everyone has been wishing me luck and it's a wonderful opportunity for me."

Williams was being tracked by a string of Championship clubs and he explained why meeting McDermott and Royals director of football Nick Hammond persuaded him to move the Madejski Stadium.

"I met them because I wanted to see what their plans were for the future and how he felt I fitted into that," he revealed.

"I immediately knew that joining Reading was the right thing because I like the style of football and I think it will suit me as an attacking full-back.

"Opportunities like it don't come around too often and I'm extremely grateful to Reading."

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