Reading have announced the signing of Chelsea starlet Nathaniel Chalobah on a loan deal until the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old was also linked to Ipswich Town and Watford after FIFA blocked a proposed loan switch to French side Bordeaux.
However, it is Reading who have secured the player's services and he is eligible to play in Saturday's FA Cup match against Cardiff City.
"Nathaniel is a good young player who I have known about and followed for some time," manager Steve Clarke told the club's official website.
"He burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old when he was part of the Watford team that narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League in 2012-13.
"Since that season, he has gained experience at other clubs and now feels that Reading is the right club to further his development as a player and we are delighted that he has chosen us ahead of anyone else."
The England Under-21 international has had recent spells at Middlesbrough and Burnley.
Danielle Joynson
