Brazilian forward moves to Madejski

The Royals are delighted to announce the signing of Brazilian forward Lucas Piazon from Chelsea.The 21-year-old can play in a number of positions across the front, and has arrived on a season-long loan from the Premier League Champions.We fought off a number of competitors for his signature just before the closing of this transfer window.Manager Steve Clarke said, "Lucas is a very talented attacking player who can create chances and score goals. When we spoke I was impressed by both his maturity and desire to prove himself in English football after some loan moves to European leagues. I’m sure Lucas will bring something extra to our squad this season."Chief Executive Nigel Howe commented, "We are excited to welcome Lucas to Madejski Stadium. He is a player with real talent and under Steve's management and the club's guidance we are sure he can flourish over the next 12 months."We are very pleased to have completed this deal, and as I speak, one can never be certain but we remain active in the transfer market."Piazon came to the UK from Sao Paulo, moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2011 for a considerable fee.He gained loan experience with Malaga in La Liga in 2012/13, then in 2013/14 he scored an impressive 11 goals in 24(+5) appearances in the Dutch top flight with Vitesse Arnhem. At just shy of a goal every 190 minutes, he helped Vitesse into a Europa League spot in a very worthwhile loan spell.Last season he played in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring against Schalke and Hamburg amid his 11(+11) appearances in the top German division.He has played once in the Premier League for Chelsea, and was named their young player of the year when they won the FA Youth Cup in 2012.This summer he helped Brazil to third place in the Pan-American games, and he has played for the Selecao right from the U15s to U23s.He comes to Reading with the aim of further progressing his career in the Championship. The deal is of course subject to the normal ratification by the football authorities, and his squad number will be confirmed in due course.