OVIE Ejaria has become Jose Gomes' first signing as Reading FC manager as Royals look to make early progress in the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old Liverpool midfielder completed a medical earlier today and has joined on loan for the rest of the season.

Ejaria is due to meet his new teammates tomorrow, though some have been frozen out by Gomes and told they can leave.

This follows a busy day for Reading, with Dave Edwards and Josh Sims departing for Shrewsbury Town and Southampton respectively.

Ejara could make his Royals debut against Nottingham Forest at Madejski Stadium this Saturday (3pm ko).

Gomes said: “In Ovie, we have signed a player who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, can pass the ball quickly and effectively to make things happen in the final third and who shows a composure which is rare in such a young central midfielder.

"I am really looking forward to working with him at Reading.”

London-born Ejaria arrives from Liverpool, where has has impressed Jürgen Klopp on a number of occasions.

As well as the departures of Edwards and Sims, a number of other players are set to leave the club

David Meyler, Vito Mannone, Marc McNulty and club captain Paul McShane have all been transfer listed.

Edwards sealed a return to his first professional club Shrewsbury Town this morning after striking a deal with the Royals where he was still under contract until the summer.

The out-of-favour midfielder has not played a single first-team game this season and is clearly not part of Gomes’ long-term plans.

The 32-year-old made 35 appearances for Reading scoring three goals after signing from Wolves in summer 2017.

Sims, 21, joined Royals on a season’s loan from Southampton last summer and played 18 times, though only five of those were starts.

Gomes has now taken the decision to cancel the remainder of his loan and send him back to St Mary’s.

New Royals boss Gomes has wasted little time in reshaping his squad, having placed a host of players on the transfer list.

Reading chief executive Nigel Howe said: “This month, we have openly stated our intention to reduce the size of the first-team squad whilst aiming to add exceptional quality to our team if the right opportunities in the window arise.

"A highly-rated England youth international who has competed at the highest level both with Liverpool and during his loan spell with Rangers, I am confident Ovie is capable of injecting that added quality into our midfield and I am delighted to welcome him to Reading.”

Pelle Clement linked up former Reading manager Jaap Stam again last week after signing a permanent deal at Dutch club Zwolle.


Romanian winger Adrian Popa also departed last month after joining Ludogorets in Bulgaria.

Meanwhile, Gomes is working hard to bring in reinforcements of his own for the Championship relegation battle.

Ejaria, an England Under 21 international, made two first-team appearances under Liverpool boss Klopp.

He was loaned to Sunderland in January 2018 and played 11 times, scoring once, as they were relegated to League One.

He signed a new, long-term contract at Liverpool last summer followed by another loan move to Rangers.

London-born Ejaria made 14 appearances for the Glasgow giants scoring once before his loan was cut short and he returned to Anfield in December.

Reading have also been linked with Manchester United keeper Joel Pereira as it looks increasingly likely that Vito Mannone will leave Royals and return to Italy.


Gomes spelled out his hopes for the January transfer window after Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Manchester United.

“I think we should bring in four or five players,” he revealed.

“We are ready to take some decisions and in the right moment we will announce it.

“We have Financial Fair Play so we are trying to find some loan players who can help us.

“But if they are not better than the players we already have, and we cannot find loan players, maybe it’s better not to bring in anyone.”

He added: “I am happy with the way my players are working and with the courage they showed on Saturday which gives us hope for the future.”

Reading defenders Tyler Blackett and Tiago Ilori have also been linked with moves away this transfer window.