Brian McDermott has spoken of his delight at landing Yann Kermorgant, who has joined Reading on a contract until the summer of 2017.
The 34-year-old was part of Bournemouth’s Premier League squad this season, but he has struggled to force his way into the first team on a regular basis. Kermorgant has made just seven appearances for the Cherries, all from the substitute’s bench, and he has joined the Royals for an undisclosed fee much to the obvious delight of manager McDermott.
“I’m delighted to get Yann Kermorgant,” he enthused. “A player we have known about for a long time. In Yann we have an experienced striker with an excellent record, a player who will be able to work with our young players at the club and be a good centre-forward in the team we are trying to develop here at Reading. I am really looking forward to working with him.”
Kermorgant developed through the youth ranks at Rennais before moving on to Vannes, Chatellerault, Grenoble, and Stade Reims, whom he left in 2009 for Leicester City. Whilst at the Foxes he had a loan spell back in his homeland with Arles-Avignon, before the French striker returned to England with Charlton Athletic and then, in 2014, he joined Bournemouth.
The Royals have had a busy week in the transfer market, with midfielder George Evans joining from Manchester City on Tuesday. The chances of the Madejski Stadium hosting Premier League football next season appears to be all but over, as they are nine points adrift of the playoff places after 27 matches, but their new signings could yet spark a change of fortune.
