Reading new boy Garath McCleary is relishing the chance of plying his trade in the Premier League after joining the Championship winners.
Winger didn't hesitate at chance to join promoted Reading
Reading new boy Garath McCleary is relishing the chance of plying his trade in the Premier League after joining the Championship winners.
McCleary is Reading's first signing of the summer as they prepare for life in the Premier League next term after arriving on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest.
The flying winger, who has signed a three-year deal at Reading, admits the move to the Madejski Stadium was the perfect birthday present for him after turning 25 earlier this week.
"It's the stuff that dreams are made of, I got off a flight on Tuesday and went and signed on Tuesday which was my birthday as well which was a really good birthday present for me," McCleary told
Sky Sports.
"From the first time I met everyone it was somewhere I wanted to be and to know they are in the Premier League is fantastic for me as it is something I've always wanted to do.
"It is a brilliant move and it didn't take much thought to say yes."
McCleary, who had spells at Slough Town and Bromley before being snapped up Forest in 2008, is confident he can hold his own in the Premier League next season after impressing at the City Ground this term.
Confident
He added: "Every professional football wants to play in the Premier League at some point and knowing I have come from non-league it is something I have always wanted to do [to play in the Premier League] and I am really happy to have been given the chance to do that.
"I am confident in my ability; as long as I work hard a lot of luck might come my way. The harder you work the more luck comes your way and hopefully I can do that.
"I have had a lot of knockbacks in my career but they have shaped me into the individual and player I am now and I am happy to have now signed for a club like Reading."
McCleary, who was named Forest's player of the season, admits he owes a great debt to the club and Steve Cotterill for helping develop into the player he is.
"There are a lot of people at Forest, including Steve Cotterill and all his coaching staff and all the players that have stuck by me through the bad times and the good times," continued McCleary.
"Even the physios and the people behind the scenes they have all been brilliant to me and the fans to this day have been brilliant with me as well, so I am really thankful for everything they have done for me and I hope they can do well next season.
"I spent four-and-a-half years at the club and I am really, really happy I could play my part in keeping Forest up.
"It was obviously a frustrating season for Forest, but I am really happy that they were able to stay in the Championship and hopefully push on next season and see what they can do."
Interview courtesy of New Era Global Sports
