VIVEASH JOINS THE ROYALS FAMILY

The defender had earlier stated that he was leaving The Saddlers, claiming that he wanted a new challenge after five seasons at the Bescot Stadium.

To read our earlier story, click here.

The 30-year-old will sign a three-year contract and the move has delighted Royals manager Alan Pardew.

"I'm very pleased to confirm that Adi Viveash will be joining us," he said. "Adi has been captain of Walsall for two years and was voted their player of the season twice in the last four years. He was a key member of their promotion-winning side and is a player I've been tracking for some time.

"Adi is a left-sided centre-back which will give good balance to our defence. He's also a natural leader and a winner who knows what it takes to get out of this division."

Pardew also declared that he will make other forays into the transfer market to bolster their Division Two challenge next season.

"He's the first of three or maybe four new signings that will make us even stronger than we were at the end of last season."

Viveash expressed his pleasure at the move, saying: "I'm delighted to be joining Reading, and the reason I'm coming is because they have such an ambitious set-up, with a young and up-and-coming manager.

"Reading should be a top ten First Division club, and I'm looking forward to trying to make that happen."