Deal agreed for midfielder

Reading Football Club are delighted to continue our summer rebuilding, having reached an agreement with Hoffenheim for the transfer of American international midfielder Danny Williams.





Williams turned 24 in March, and he will sign a long-term contract at Madejski Stadium until the summer of 2017. The fee involved will remain undisclosed and the deal will be finalised on 1st July, subject to normal ratification of paperwork and international clearance.





Danny has a growing reputation in international football; having been nominated as one of US Soccer’s Young Male Athletes of the Year in 2012. He will be aiming to play in the World Cup in Brazil next summer, having won 12 caps since becoming the first player capped by new US boss Jurgen Klinsmann, who describes him as having ‘tremendous potential.’





He now makes the step to Reading from the German Bundesliga, and he joins England international Wayne Bridge and ex-Real Madrid man Royston Drenthe in our squad for what is sure to be a very exciting season ahead.





Director of Football Nick Hammond said, "Danny is a versatile player, he possesses great energy and already has great experience in one of the top leagues in Europe. He is an international player and at 24 years of age still has plenty of development ahead of him, so we will be delighted to welcome him to the club."



Williams said, "I am very excited to be here, I am really looking forward to the season and to try to get the club back to the Premier League. I spoke to the manager yesterday when I did my medicine check and he is a really great, nice guy. I'm looking forward to working with him, everything is perfect here. I spoke to Gylfi also because he is a good friend from Hoffenheim and a hero here! I would like to say to the Reading fans I will give 100% every game, I am proud to wear this jersey and will do everything to help this team back to the Premier League."





Chairman Sir John Madejski added, "I would like to begin by officially welcoming Danny to Reading Football Club, these are exciting times for the club and Danny’s acquisition is another step forward for us. I remember American players Marcus Hahnemann and Bobby Convey doing very well in a Reading shirt in recent years and I am certain Danny will do the same. We have seen many players grow and flourish at Madejski Stadium and we wish Danny every success in following that path."

Danny has dual German and American citizenship, playing for Germany at u15 level before committing to the full American national side. He began his career with Karlsruhe before making his professional debut at Freiburg. He then joined ex-Royal Gylfi Sigurdsson at Hoffenheim in the summer of 2011, making his full debut against Bayern Munich. He went on to hold down a place as a regular member of their strong squad, making his mark in the German top flight.





US boss Klinsmann has already shown great faith in him despite his tender years, and we have signed a player with his best years ahead of him.





Danny’s squad number will be confirmed in due course, along with our full list of numbers for 2013/14. He will join his new teammates for training later shortly and we wish him the very best of luck in his career at Reading.





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