Blackman switches to Reading

Reading have completed the signing of forward Nick Blackman from Sheffield United on a three-and-a-half-year contract.

Last Updated: 30/01/13 at 19:11 Post Comment

Nick Blackman (l): Netted 14 goals for Sheffield United this term

Nick Blackman (l): Netted 14 goals for Sheffield United this term

The 23-year-old, who has scored 14 goals for the Blades this season, caught the eye of Royals manager Brian McDermott during Saturday's FA Cup tie between the two sides.

Blackman, whose fee is reportedly £1.2m, told Reading's official website: "I'm really looking forward to it and I'm very excited.

"I met the gaffer last night, he was fantastic with me and I couldn't have asked any more from him and Nicky Hammond. I can't wait to play - hopefully I can try and get involved as soon as possible."

McDermott added: "We're very pleased to get him. He had options elsewhere but he knows that we try to develop our players and get them better. He's played a lot of games, and has so much more to come.

"He can play in three or four positions - up front, either one of the wide areas and off the striker.

"He's another player that's hungry, wants to learn and wants to improve. His goalscoring record is getting better, better and better every year. He takes set plays, so he's a really good acquisition to the group."

Blackman started his career at Macclesfield before moving to Blackburn Rovers in January 2009.

However he failed to establish himself in the first team at Ewood Park and had loan spells with Blackpool, Motherwell, Oldham and Aberdeen before joining Sheffield United last summer.

Crystal Palace had failed with a bid for Blackman, and Blades boss Danny Wilson admits he could not stand in the player's way once a Premier League club made an offer.

"From our position, it is virtually impossible to hold people back when the Premiership comes calling and this is a great opportunity for Nick," said Wilson.

"He wants to play at the best possible level, we knew that when we signed him, and he goes with our best wishes. He is a student of the game and will keep learning his trade at Reading."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m curious as to what image Real Madrid are trying to re-establish as I always thought their pre-Jose image was one of a bunch of a classless bullies tapping up whoever they wanted while living it large on borrowed money they're never going to pay back.

john matrix
Perez Will Spend Big To Forget Jose...

A

t the start of the season, after the RVP transfer, I confidently claimed that Arsenal would finish above United. I now regret it immensely.

Fuzzy_Dunlop
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

D

aniel Storey generally did very well, going against the City won it last year so they're bound to win it this time grain. As for John Nicholson, I wouldn't trust him to predict correctly what day of the week it will be tomorrow.

Griff
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

Footer 365

Bastian Schweinsteiger aiming to treat Wembley to footballing perfection

Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger aims to treat Wembley to footballing perfection in the Champions League final.

Pardew to remain at the helm

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will remain in charge at St James' Park after holding talks about his future with owner Mike Ashley.

LB: Toffees won't come unstuck

Leighton Baines insists the upheaval of losing manager David Moyes to Manchester United after 11 years in charge will not derail Everton.

Mail Box

More Scared Of Losing AVB Than Bale...

We thought we would have to resort to another mailbox about maths but we've had some grand opinions about Man United, Newcastle, Tottenham and more. Oh and maths...

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved