Czech Republic midfielder Marek Matejovsky has left Reading to join Sparta Prague.
Midfielder returns home with Sparta
Czech Republic midfielder Marek Matejovsky has left Reading to join Sparta Prague.
Matejovsky has returned to his homeland after a frustrating two-year spell at the Madejski Stadium following his arrival from Mlada Boleslav in January 2008.
The 28-year-old failed to produce his best form at Reading and was restricted to just 15 appearances last season due to a series of niggling injuries.
Royals director of football Nick Hammond felt the transfer represented good business for the club
"This is a good deal for Reading Football Club at this moment in time," said Hammond.
"We have a large number of extremely good midfield players and across the last two seasons Marek has been unable to hold down a regular place in our first team.
"Marek, like many, wants to play regular football and with so much competition for that position in our squad we couldn't guarantee him that next year.
Difficult time
"He has had a difficult time, suffering some niggling injuries of late.
"In truth, we are all a little bit disappointed to see him go.
"We all wish Marek the very best of luck in whatever lies ahead in his career."
Matejovsky revealed he had rejected offers from other clubs to make the switch to Sparta Prague.
"After Reading told me I could leave I had several offers. But I decided to come to Sparta," said Matejovsky.
"I had some foreign offers, but I finally decided to sign for the biggest Czech club. Sparta has the highest ambitions and I hope to help them fill those. I want to be playing in the Sparta team on a regular basis and then get back into the national side."
Long deal
Meanwhile, Reading are ready to offer striker Shane Long a new contract to ward off interest from Birmingham in the Republic of Ireland international.
"We will talk to Shane when he returns for training," added Hammond.
"We are constantly reviewing players' contracts and it's something that we look at throughout the season as you saw with the extension that we offered to Gylfi Sigurdsson."
