Reading Sign Jonathan Bond From Watford

04 July 2015
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have completed their fourth major signing in a week with the confirmation that Watford goalkeeper Jonathan Bond has signed a three year contract. Bond follows Sa, Quinn and McShane into the club in what has suddenly turned into one of Reading's busiest summers in recent history. The Reading squad was looking very thin following the departure of several long-term Reading players, but the gaps have been filled with the arrival of a defender, midfielder, striker, and now goalkeeper to complete the set.

The Royals were desperate for a keeper following the departure of goalkeepers Federici, Andersen, Lincoln and Henly. The arrival of Jonathan Bond will be seen as very impressive signing after Watford were promoted at the end of the season. Bond has opted to join Reading rather than have an immediate chance of Premier League football. It has to be assumed that 22 year old Bond will be Reading's first choice keeper for the new Championship season.

Bond has an excellent reputation having made the transition from the Watford youth set-up to making 33 first team appearances for the Hornets. Bond has also impressed for England Under-21s and appears to have a very good future ahead of him. Although he was the second goalkeeper at Watford last season he still earned two starts in the Championship plus two league cup starts. He was also in goal for Watford in their FA Cup defeat at Chelsea. He made 15 appearances for Watford in the 2013/2014 season. Earlier in his career he had loan spells at Forest Green, Dagenham and Redbridge and Bury before returning to Watford.

Naturally the club are as delighted as the fans to have some positive news to promote after fans' concerns about the dramatic changes at the club since the end of the season. However as the replacements have flooded in - both with backroom and playing staff - there are suddenly reasons to be optimistic about the new season. Hector and Fosu have also extended their contracts with the club.

Steve Clarke has also confirmed that another goalkeeper will be signed - you'd have to assume on trial former Wigan keeper Ali Al-Habsi: "Jonathan is at the stage of his career where he needs a new challenge and the opportunity to establish himself as first choice goalkeeper... With Jonathan joining Stuart Moore in our ranks we believe that our goalkeeping department is starting to look very strong again. It is my intention to bring one more experienced goalkeeper to the club to complement the young talent that we now have."

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