Pavel Pogrebnyak is determined to help Reading back into the Premier League.
The Russian international joined the Royals on a free transfer in the summer of 2012, but despite featuring heavily, he was unable to prevent them from slipping into the Championship. It was expected that the 29-year-old would leave in the summer, and his name was never too far away from the speculation pages during the transfer window.
Pogrebnyak has now revealed he did indeed have offers to leave the Madejski Stadium, including from Tom Tomsk in his homeland where he would have linked up with brothers Kirill and Nikolay. However, despite such a prospect, the former Stuttgart and Fulham striker decided to remain with Reading in the aim of helping Nigel Adkins’ side back into the top-flight.
“I’ve decided to stay at the club, although I had offers, including Russian clubs. Not just from those teams which are always in the spotlight but also from Tom Tomsk. But I answered no,” he told ITAR-TASS agency. “It’s not about money but about my desire to play in England. I’d like to be back in the Premier League and I like the British culture very much.”
The Royals have made a steady start to the new season, and sit in ninth position ahead of the international break having collecting eight points from five matches. Pogrebnyak has made just two substitute appearances, but now the window has shut and speculation over his future should be quashed, he is set to play a bigger role when the campaign resumes
