Reading have signed Dutch Under-21 international Nathan Ake on loan from Chelsea, to the delight of Royals' manager Steve Clarke.
The 20-year-old, who joined the Blues in the summer of 2011, has made 11 Chelsea first-team appearances, including games in the Champions League and he was an unused substitute in the 2015 Capital One Cup Final win over Tottenham Hotspur.Ake, who can play as a defensive midfielder, left-back or centre-half and has a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, will gain some more valuable experience with the Royals, who are managed by Clarke, a former Chelsea employee.
"I am delighted to add a player of Nathan's quality to our first-team squad at this important time of the season," the Royals boss told Reading’s official website.
"He has been a fixture in Chelsea's first-team squad this season and we are grateful that Chelsea have allowed him to join us here at Reading to get some competitive minutes on the pitch.
"He is a very talented player who I have been aware of for some time and I look forward to working with Nathan in the coming weeks."