Young midfielder commits to Royals until 2019

Reading Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of young midfielder, who has today completed a move to Madejski Stadium from Manchester City by signing a three-and-a-half year contract.Manager Brian McDermott said, “I am delighted we have secured the signing of George. I saw him play for Walsall while I was scouting for Arsenal and we’ve followed him ever since. He is a great guy and a terrific young midfielder with great pedigree, and I’m sure he will become an even better player working in our environment at Reading.”Evans, who only celebrated his 21st birthday last month, has been on the books with Manchester City since the age of six and rose through the ranks in their Academy.He made his first team debut in the Capital One Cup victory at Sunderland earlier this season, replacing Yaya Toure as a substitute, and he was named on the bench for Manuel Pellegrini’s side’s Premier League fixture against Tottenham as well as their Champions League visit to Borussia Monchengladbach.Evans was one of eight from Patrick Vieira’s Elite Development Squad to join the likes of Sergio Aguero on a post-season tour to Toronto and he was also heavily involved in City’s pre-season schedule ahead of the current campaign – seeing action alongside City’s superstars in friendlies with Melbourne City and VfB Stuttgart, replacing Vincent Kompany in the International Champions Cup against Roma and then being named as an unused substitute against Real Madrid.Evans’ first taste of competitive first team football came as an 18-year-old loanee with Crewe Alexandra, where he spent the bulk of the 2013-14 League One season. Last year, he spent the second half of the campaign representing Scunthorpe at the same level.Most recently, he linked up with Walsall on loan, representing the Saddlers on 16 occasions in total. His most recent outing came a week ago, when he helped the Midlands club come from behind and take a point against neighbours Coventry City, maintaining their second-placed position in the Sky Bet League One standings.The Cheadle-born midfielder also played an instrumental role in the Saddlers’ FA Cup run, which has seen Sean O’Driscoll’s men reach the Fourth Round for the first time in a decade. After scoring in a 2-0 win in the First Round against Fleetwood Town, Evans then kept his cool from the penalty spot as the Saddlers overcame divisional rivals Chesterfield in a shoot-out at the next stage.In the Third Round, the former England youth international who represented England in the Under-17 World Cup Finals back in July 2011, played 90 minutes as Walsall came away with a 1-0 win from a visit to Championship side Brentford. Consequently, Evans is cup-tied for our replay against Huddersfield this evening and would also be unable to face his old side Walsall in the next round should the Royals get past the Terriers tonight.Chief Executive Nigel Howe added, “I’m delighted George has decided to join Reading Football Club. He is a very promising young footballer who, with an excellent footballing education behind him and first team experience already under his belt, perfectly fits this football club.”