Shane Long's announcement as a Reading player, for the second time in his career, was mete with a reaction rarely seen from Royals supporters in years gone by.

After 11 years of rumours and disappointment, the fan favourite made a long-awaited return to RG2 and signed a one-year contract with Paul Ince's men.

READ MORE: Shane Long returns to Reading FC after decade in Premier League

We look at six other signings of the last 20 years which were met with similar reactions, and see how they did at the Madejski/SCL Stadium.

Shaun Goater

The only one signed pre-social media, it is hard to compare the reaction in a similar way to that of more modern signings, but it is easy to understand why the Bermudan was welcomed to Reading with high expectations.

Having had a goal-laden career across the Engish pyramid, most prominently with Manchester City and Rotherham United, the Citizens cult hero was 33 when he arrived at the club.

The hype wasn't confined to just the fans, with chairman Sir John Madejski declaring it, "the biggest in Reading Football Club's history."

A popular choice of Alan Pardew, successor Steve Coppell was as keen on using 'the Goat' and he departed in 2005 having scored 12 goals in 43 appearances.

Pavel Pogrebnyak

The ‘Big F-ing Russian’ arrived in Berkshire on the back of a Premier League promotion and a very strong personal spell with Fulham the season before.

A drawn-out signing, the Russia international was rumoured to be op more than £50,000 per week, with manager Brian McDermott preferring to bring Long back to the club.

A favourite of Anton Zingaravech, lots of expectation was placed on Pavel Pogrebnyak’s shoulders, something he failed to fully live up to.

Still, he managed to become a regular over three seasons hitting 26 goals in 103 appearances.

Royston Drenthe

When a former Real Madrid winger joins Reading, there is bound to be hype.

A regular for the Netherlands Under-21 side, Drenthe made his name with Feyenoor before being signed by Los Blancos in 2007.

Almost 50 appearances in the Spanish capital included loan spells with Hercules and Everton- impressing with the Toffees.

Arriving in Berkshire from Russia in 2013, he had his moments during the 2013/14 campaign, netting stunning strikes against Brighton and Leeds, but was told he could leave after just 24 appearances.

He has since tried his hand at rapping, but currently plays for Real Murcia aged 35.

Emiliano Martinez

Despite his move only being a temporary five month loan spell, Martinez has left a lasting impression on Royals fans.

Spending a decade at Arsenal, including keeping net during a 7-5 win over Reading, his sixth loan move saw him brought to Berkshire in January 2019.

One of multiple January signings who played key roles in keeping Reading in the Championship, he went back to the Emirates with 18 matches under his belt and a whole host of plaudits.

He went on to win an FA Cup with the Gunners before making a permanent switch to Aston Villa .

George Puscas

The only one still at the club, Puscas was the club’s record signing in August 2019 from European giants Inter Milan, for a reported fee of £7.5m.

A good debut campaign saw the Romanian net 14 goals in all competitions during a Covid-19 interrupted spell, with hopes that he would kick on the following season, however just four under Veljko Paunovic in 2019/20 and two last time out saw him loaned out to Pisa over the winter.

Finishing as the club’s top scorer as they lost in the Serie B play-off final, the 26-year-old is still under contract with the Royals and could be on his way bac k into first team involvement.

This is now looking unlikely following Long’s return, with a whole host of Italian sides said to be interested in the centre-forward.

Reading Chronicle:

Ayub Timbe Masika

A strange move at the time, Ayub Masika’s time in Reading was an odd period. With Sone Aluko part of a swap loan deal for Masika from Mr Dai’s other club, Beijing Rehne, the Kenyan international arrival saw a response from abroad unlike any other.

Every team sheet and club tweet would be met with ‘start Masika’ or ‘it’s Timbe time’ as he had the support and love from everyone in his home country. Unfortunately it was not to end well, with the rapid winger playing just six times.