Reading Football Club have sold defender Ibrahima Sonko to Stoke City for an initial fee of £2million, potentially rising to £2.25million.

Director of Football Nick Hammond told readingfc.co.uk, "Ibrahima Sonko has been a terrific performer in the Club's recent development.

"But centre half is a particularly strong position for us in terms of both quantity and quality, especially with the continuing emergence of Alex Pearce, who adds to the experience provided by Ivar Ingimarsson, Michael Duberry and Andre Bikey.

"Bearing that in mind, we felt the timing is right for this deal and it is probably a good time for Ibrahima to seek a fresh challenge."

The 27-year-old former Brentford man joined the Royals on a free transfer in the summer of 2004 and made 131(+6) appearances, scoring eight goals.

He suffered a serious knee injury midway through the 2006/7 campaign but returned to make 16 Premier League appearances last season.

His final outing for the Club, in last weekend's 4-2 loss at Charlton, was an eventful one as he scored, conceded a penalty and received the third red card of his Reading career.

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