SIR John Madejski expects Reading FC’s new Bearwood training complex to be open within two years.

Royals have bought 120 acres of land from the charity, Royal Merchant Navy School Foundation, to build a state-of-the-art facility.

The land includes Bearwood Golf Club in Sindlesham which will be closed, forcing out staff and 320 members.

Members put a £750,000 rescue package together to save the golf club when the site came up for sale, but it is believed Royals trumped that with a £1.5 million offer.

The charity will use the money to help fund the education of under privileged children.

And Madejski insists that moving from their present training ground in Hogwood Park to Bearwood is essential for Reading FC’s future and retaining their Academy Category One Status.

He told the Chronicle: “We’ve had a few false dawns but this is such good news for us.

“The site is nearby and ticks all the boxes for a club with Category One Academy status and ambitions to be in the Premier League.

“Hogwood Park had become too small, we had outgrown it and we needed somewhere bigger.

“When this is finished this really will be a training ground to be proud of.”

Reading moved to Hogwood in 2004 but their hopes of relocating to land in Aldermaston were dashed last year due to planning issues.

Royals will now seek full planning permission from Wokingham Borough Council for the new complex at Bearwood, which could be ready within a couple of years.

Madejski added: “How long is a piece of string? Things like this never go exactly to plan but we would hope to be in the site in around two years. We will be working closely with Wokingham Borough Council who I’m sure will be quite amiable.

“As a club we always like to grow our own players and we have been successful doing that since I’ve been here. We have a great team of Academy people her led by Eamonn Dolan and it’s important that continues.”

Meanwhile, Anton Zingarevich appears no closer to completing his takeover of Reading FC, having missed the original deadline by a month.

The Russian businessman was poised to buy Madejski’s remaining 49% stake for around £20m, having acquired 51% in early 2012.

Madejski has since decided to postpone his decision to step down as chairman next year and carry on for another two years.

Royals fans now fear Zingarevich may try and sell on his 51% share to a fresh investor.

But Madejski, 72, stressed: “There is no rush with these things.”