New Royals striker Gunnar Thorvaldsson says he is relishing the challenge that awaits him at Madejski Stadium, and could be the 'fox in the box' needed to push Brian McDermott's side up the table.

The Icelandic international is not eligible to play in the F.A Cup clash with Liverpool on Saturday but could make his Reading debut for the visit of Newcastle a week later - and has vowed to snap at the chance to showcase his talents.

"It feels very good to be here, I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I can do something good," he said.

"I'm very aggressive when I'm on the field and if the ball is loose in the box I'll be there to put it in. I've been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and I'm just going to try to grab it.

"I came here on trial and they wanted to see how my form was and everything like that, but Brian has been scouting me since I was in Sweden so he knows me as a player and it's been very good."

Thorvaldsson attracted attention from numerous European clubs after winning the Swedish golden boot in a spell with Scandinavian side Halmstads, qualifying for the U.E.F.A Cup before earning a move to Hannover 96.

Injury heavily disrupted his time in Germany, but the 27-year-old has expressed determination to reignite an already promising career.

"My career started well and I had moves to Sweden and Germany - where I had a couple of injuries and couldn't really get back into things. It's been really tough in the last couple of years but if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger so hopefully I'll do well here.

"The Icelandic guys here have said positive things about the club and they've been here a long time - I've been very happy since I came here, everyone's treated me very well and hopefully I can pay them back."