Long seals record Baggies switch

Sportsdesk • Published 9 Aug 2011 18:35 8 Comments

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SHANE Long's drawn out transfer saga is finally over after the Reading striker signed for West Bromwich Albion in a record-breaking deal this evening.

The 24-year-old, currently on Republic of Ireland duty, has moved to the Hawthorns for a fee in the region of £7.5 million.

It is though he will sign a four year deal with the Baggies after Royals agreed a fee with the Premier League club over the weekend.

He could now be paired up front with former Royals striker Simon Cox next season. They could also play alongside each other tomorrow night when Ireland take on Croatia in a friendly.

Long's club record sale will also provide Reading manager Brian McDermott with valuable funds to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes.

"West Bromwich Albion and Roy Hodgson are very lucky to get Shane and I'm sure their fans will see what a great talent he is and how hard he'll work for the team," stated McDermott.

"We'll miss him as a player and a person, but I'm sure his mum Anne will come and watch a few games and it wouldn't be a shock to see Shane on one of our supporter coaches because he's a real Reading boy. It goes without saying but we wish him all the very best."

While McDermott did not want Long to leave, the deal is good business for Reading as the player was entering the final year of his contract at Madejski Stadium.

McDermott added: "We've got really good players around who I am sure will step up to the mark, they will want to do that. They'll feel they've got something to prove in every game we play, and they are ready to do it."

Long shot to prominence last season when he scored 25 goals for the Royals. In all, he netted 53 goals in 203 games for Reading after joining from Cork City in 2005 as an unknown teenager.

Royals chairman Sir John Madejski said: "I want to pay great tribute to Shane, he is a fine sportsman and has been a conscientious and loyal servant for Reading Football Club. We all wish him well at his new club in the Premier League.

"Water will always find its own level, and nobody can deny a talented young player the opportunity to play at the highest level when they have the ability to do so."

Long looked certain to leave Berkshire following Reading's Championship play-off final defeat at Wembley last season.

Madejski added: "Had we won at Wembley, I have no doubt that Shane would still be playing for Reading, but we wish him great luck at West Brom, he has been an outstanding example here, and a really fine person as well."

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 09 Aug 11

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Canadian Baggie
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Aug 9, 18:49
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Shane welcome to the Baggies - moving from one qulaity to another quality club who are in different divisions. Reading have wonderful supporters and desrve Premier football - hopefully next year whilst I hope Shane contributes to Albion keeping thier Premier status this season. Good business all around it seems.

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LowerWickBaggie
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Aug 9, 19:26
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Welcome to the Albion Shane. Hope the move benfits both you and WBA. Also hope Reading buy well with the money and play us in the Premiership next season.

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LoyalRoyal
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Aug 9, 19:43
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Good Luck Shane

You will always be in the hearts of Loyal Royals. See you in the premier league next year.

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darren
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Aug 9, 20:22
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who's next for the exit door at the madjeski stadium in order to 'balance the books'? Jimmy kebe is favourite, he'll fetch in around £3million. These are exciting times for reading fans!

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Loughborough Royal
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Aug 9, 20:26
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Massive assumption that McD will have money to strengthen the squad. From what I have been reading we will be giving other players such as HRK the opportunity to shine. I hope I am wrong and that the club spend a few million on a decent centre back and forward to replace Mills and Long. If we do reinvest I believe we will be challenging atleast the playoff's, if we dont then mid-table is best we can realistically expect. Again we question whether the board and Sir John want top level football to return...

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malcolmD
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Aug 9, 20:32
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good luck shane, you've been a great servant to readingfc! i agree jimmy kebe will be the next sale, possibly followed by alex mccarthy, only then will this years black hole be filled! If brian steers reading to midtable he'll have done a remarkable job!

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DarrenB
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Aug 9, 20:53
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loughborough royal i don't think anyone is assuming Reading will spend any money (god forbid!), in fact the opposite is true. I agree that hrk and church will now get their chance to play. i wouldn't be at all surprised if kebe was the next to be sold as he'll fetch a reasonable fee and will help fill our ever expanding black hole!!! a mid-table finish will be an achievement for the royals now that we've lost 25 goals from the team....who will Reading sell next summer to balance the books!!???

Recommend? Yes 9 No 1
Rick O Shea
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Aug 10, 11:16
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Sir John will be spending that £7.5 mil on more hair plugs and/or taking Cilla Black out for some avocado!

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