Royals boss Steve Coppell has praised departing striker Dave Kitson for his contribution in a Reading shirt.

Kitson has signed for Premier League newboys Stoke City, and goes with a record of 60 goals in 121(+26) apperances during his time at Madejski Stadium.

Coppell said, "He was one of my first signings, and he has done ever so well for Reading.

"We got a lot of money, so from the financial perspective it was good business.

"But I just look at the football perspective and his goals - his goal ratio was magnificent."

The Potters paid £5.5million for his services, a huge profit after we shelled out around £150,000 in December 2003 to bring him from Cambridge United.

"We got good money but you look at his record and there's hardly a player in the country who can match it.

"He was so often in the right place at the right time, and he could create as well.

"I didn't want him to go, he just felt that coming up to 29 he wanted to get back in the Premier League as soon as possible, and he felt that signing for someone else was the quickest way to do that."