Reading have confirmed the arrival of 18-year-old Dom Ballard from Southampton.

The teenager has secured a one-year loan from the Saints, joining Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Sam Smith in the striker department.

Reading's first incoming of deadline day, his arrival has been hotly anticipated since news broke yesterday.

Only with two first-team appearances, Ballard has scored two hattricks in three matches for the Under-23s so far this season.

He was nominated for last season's Player of the Year for the PL2 with 13 goals in 16 matches.

This will see the teenager link up with Reading boss Ruben Selles, who gave him three first-team appearances last season as the Saints were relegated from the Premier League.

Head of Football Operations, Mark Bowen, said: “Dom is a gifted young striker with a proven eye for goal – he has been prolific at both Under-18 and Under-21 level and has already taken his first steps in first team football at Southampton.

"Now, he has a platform to earn valuable experience, develop his own game in a highly competitive environment and simply score more goals at senior team level as a Royal. I’m delighted we have been able to bring him into the young, hungry squad we are building at Reading.”