EX-BLACK CAT MEYLER AIMS HIGH AT ROYALS
IRELAND MIDFIELDER GUNS FOR READING PROMOTION AFTER DEPARTING HULL CITY
Former Sunderland midfielder David Meyler has joined Reading from Championship rivals Hull City – and is aiming high with the Royals.
The Republic of Ireland international has agreed a two-year contract and could team up with ex-Black Cats and Ireland team-mate John O’Shea at the Madejski Stadium.
“I’m delighted and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead,” Meyler, 29, told readingfc.co.uk.
“I was looking for ambition and I spoke to the manager (Paul Clement) – he lined that out for me and I want to get this club promoted.
“We spoke about the way he wants to play, what he wants to do and where he thinks this club should be.
“The focus is to get back to the Premier League and that’s what I’m here to do.
“I’m committed – I give 100% to everything I do. I’m coming here to get back to the Premier League and win promotion. That’s my aim, that’s the manager’s aim and that’s what I want to do.”
Meyler, who played in Hull’s FA Cup Final defeat to Arsenal in 2014, hopes to help resurrect Reading, who finished in a relegation fight last season, having reached the Championship play-off final in 2017.
“For me, the biggest thing as a footballer is playing in big occasions,” added Meyler.
“I’ve been very fortunate to play in an FA Cup Final, play for my country, I’ve won promotion out of this division twice.
“Having those moments is incredible, especially for fans and everyone involved, that’s got to be the target.
“In my time at Hull, I helped create history, I want to come here and create our own piece of history.”
Meyler is relishing the chance to work with ex-Derby and Swansea boss Clement, who has had stints as assistant boss at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.
“I think if you look at his CV, I know he’s been assistant manager and coach at some massive clubs throughout Europe,” Meyler said.
“He has experience of winning, he knows what it takes to win and that’s what it’s all about, really. It’s about winning games and in the Championship, it’s a tough division.
“It’s a 46-game season so there are a lot of Saturday-Tuesdays, and we’ve got to try and win as many games as we can.
“The idea is to get in and get a full pre-season, get to know the lads and, obviously, I do know a few of them!
“It’s going to be fun! I’m looking forward to it because it’s a new challenge – I’ve been at Hull for six years, so it’s something different and I’m looking forward to it.
“As much as it’s good to settle in quickly, it’s about winning.”