Former Madrid player Royston Drenthe agrees move to Reading

Former Real Madrid and Everton winger Royston Drenthe has agreed a two-year contract to join Championship side Reading.

Drenthe, capped 24 times by the Dutch under-21 side began his career at Feyenoord and was a key member of the Dutch national side that won the 2007 European Under-21 Championships. He was also named the best player of the tournament. This led to interest and eventual transfer to Real Madrid.

Struggling to establish himself in the first team at Real, he was loaned to Spanish second division side Hercules and Everton. He was a Madrid player for 5 seasons, but spent his fourth and fifth seasons at loan to Hercules and Everton respectively. Drenthe left Real Madrid after his contract expired on 30 June 2012. In December, he signed a deal with Alania Vladikavkaz (Russian club) which, eventually, started on 2 February of 2013.

The 26-year-old Dutchman will join the Royals on a free transfer from Russian side Alania Vladikavkaz after agreeing a deal at the Madejski Stadium which could be extended by a further year. The move is subject to international clearance from the Russian football authorities.

Source: Sky Sports