READING have announced the transfer deadline day signing of Nigerian international and former Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

The 32-year-old, who has scored 96 goals in the Premier League and played at the World Cup, was a free agent after leaving Al Rayyan in Qatar and has joined the Royals on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

Reading manager Steve Clarke said: “Yakubu brings a fantastic scoring record to this club and his addition will complement the strikers we’ve already got at Reading and help us to improve as a team in latter stages of the season.

“I know all about him as a player and I have heard very good reports about him as a personality in the dressing room. He is no-risk signing for us and I look forward to him scoring goals for Reading Football Club.”

Yakubu added: “It feels good to be back in England and it feels good to play for Reading Football Club. 

“I’m so happy to be here. I have played in this league twice - with Leicester and Portsmouth and I want to try to help the team. I just need to get on the pitch and give it my best, hopefully I can score more goals and help the team.” 

Assuming the move is ratified, Yakubu will be eligible to make his debut on Saturday, when Reading travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship.