The 29-year-old centre half penned a two-year deal on Monday and most recently played for Turkish club Antalyaspor, although he has not played a competitive game for almost a year.

Speaking to the Chronicle, he said it could be up to three weeks until he is match fit, but that he cannot wait to pull on a Royals shirt and play at the Madejski Stadium.

He beamed: “I think it will be pure excitement. To be back in English football waking up on a Saturday knowing I’ve got a game, I’ll feel like a kid again. “I felt like a kid coming into training the first time.

“I’m delighted to be here and I want to thank Reading for giving me the opportunity to get back into English football.

“I never lost my love for the game - since I was a kid I’ve always loved the game and that will never change, but training and then not having a game to look forward to on the Saturday is very hard. But the thing it has done is made me mentally stronger.

“This is football and it swings in roundabouts - that chapter’s closed and this is a new one and lets hope it’s a successful one.”

Ferdinand has previously played for West Ham, QPR and Sunderland - who spent £8m taking him to the Stadium of Light in 2008 - and follows in the footsteps of cousin Les in joining the Royals.

He became Reading’s third signing in four days on Monday to boost Nigel Adkins’ squad, days after an impressive Reading were denied victory at promotion candidates Wigan in their opening Champiosnhip clash on Saturday.

Ferdinand revealed he believes a wave of optimism has spread around the club and gushed: “Things look positive - going to Wigan and getting the result we did, not many teams will get a draw there.

“It was a fantastic way to start the season and hopefully it continues.

“I never had any doubt about coming into the football club that the boys would welcome me. “They’re a good bunch of lads and they’re looking to improve all the time and that’s right up my alley.

“I want to help the club get better and hopefully help the club win as many games and if that means we’re up and around promotion at the end of the season then fantastic.”