ONE IN, TWO OUT: LATE TRANSFER ACTIVITY
READING FC played their part in some late transfer deadline day activity as two departed the club and one joined.
George Puscas left on loan, while former captain Liam Moore joined Stoke City on loan in a swap deal for Tom Ince who joins the Royals until the end of the season.
Striker Puscas has joined Italian side Pisa on a loan deal until the end of the season.
The Romanian forward will play for Serie B side Pisa, where then is an obligation for them to make the deal permanent if they are promoted to Italy’s top flight.
Puscas became Reading’s record incoming transfer when he made the move from Inter Milan in August 2019 for around €10million Euros.
He started strongly with two goals against Cardiff City on his home debut for the Royals.
He also netted a sensational five minute hat-trick against Wigan Athletic in November 2019.
He went on to score 12 Championship goals in his debut season for the Royals.
However, he has struggled for regular goals and performances since that.
He played 21 times for Reading in the league last season, netting just four goals where he was kept out of the side by the in form Lucas Joao.
Puscas went on a huge goal drought throughout this season which was finally broken in what turned out to be a consolation goal in Reading’s humiliating FA Cup thirdround exit to non-league Kidderminster Harriers.
Puscas has just one league goal to his name in the current campaign, in 24 appearances, which came in a 4-3 defeat to Huddersfield Town.
30-year-old Ince, the son of former England international Paul Ince, has experience at both Championship and Premier League level.
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic said:
“I’m very pleased to welcome Tom to Reading Football Club. He is an exciting player and he knows this division inside out.
“He will add creativity, pace and power to play in our final third.
“On the other side of this deal, I want to wish Liam Moore an excellent rest of the season.”
Chief executive Dayong Pang added: “In Tom Ince we have been able to add an experienced individual with more than 400 appearances on his CV but also a forward with a proven goalscoring record at this level, who is hungry to score more.
“This is a deal which suits both players and both clubs and I would like to wish both Tom and Liam well in their new colours.”