Royals agree Griffin deal
Posted on: Tue 12 Jan 2010
The Royals have agreed a deal to sign experienced right back Andy Griffin on loan from Premier League side Stoke City until the end of the season.
Griffin, 30, has played more than 300 games in his career, and comes to Reading with a wealth of knowledge and excellent leadership qualities.
Manchester-born Andy is in his 13th season as a Premier League player, and has previously lined up for Portsmouth, Derby County and Newcastle United, for whom he scored against Juventus in the Champions League and also started in an FA Cup final.
Director Of Football Nick Hammond told readingfc.co.uk, "We're very pleased to sign Andy because he will add a wealth of experience, he knows what is required to get results in this division and also brings us more bite.
"We've had players doing a good job at right back but Andy knows the position and has played there for a number of years at a high level."
Manager Brian McDermott also told readingfc.co.uk, "He's an experienced player at the top level. He was skipper at Stoke and got promotion there, so he's got great pedigree. I feel we need a right back and he can play that role so I'm sure he's going to be a good signing for us.
"He's hungry and he wants to be play. He hasn't played for a while, he needs to kickstart his career because he wants to play for another five or six years I'm sure. Hopefully we can help him do that."
Griffin will wear squad number 40, and he is eligible for Saturday's game at Nottm Forest, but not the Liverpool replay as he was not a Reading player for the original tie.
Andy trained with his new teammates on Monday and signed all paperwork later that evening, and the clubs now await the formality of final ratification from both the Football League and Premier League.
Subscribers to Reading FC Player can now watch a full interview with Andy as he puts pen to paper on his move.
Griffin, 30, has played more than 300 games in his career, and comes to Reading with a wealth of knowledge and excellent leadership qualities.
Manchester-born Andy is in his 13th season as a Premier League player, and has previously lined up for Portsmouth, Derby County and Newcastle United, for whom he scored against Juventus in the Champions League and also started in an FA Cup final.
Director Of Football Nick Hammond told readingfc.co.uk, "We're very pleased to sign Andy because he will add a wealth of experience, he knows what is required to get results in this division and also brings us more bite.
"We've had players doing a good job at right back but Andy knows the position and has played there for a number of years at a high level."
Manager Brian McDermott also told readingfc.co.uk, "He's an experienced player at the top level. He was skipper at Stoke and got promotion there, so he's got great pedigree. I feel we need a right back and he can play that role so I'm sure he's going to be a good signing for us.
"He's hungry and he wants to be play. He hasn't played for a while, he needs to kickstart his career because he wants to play for another five or six years I'm sure. Hopefully we can help him do that."
Griffin will wear squad number 40, and he is eligible for Saturday's game at Nottm Forest, but not the Liverpool replay as he was not a Reading player for the original tie.
Andy trained with his new teammates on Monday and signed all paperwork later that evening, and the clubs now await the formality of final ratification from both the Football League and Premier League.
Subscribers to Reading FC Player can now watch a full interview with Andy as he puts pen to paper on his move.
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