STEVE Clarke is confident Lucas Piazon will add 'something extra' to his Reading FC squad after signing the highly-rated Brazilian from Chelsea.

Royals' interest in the 21-year-old attacker was revealed by the Chronicle last week, and Piazon finally sealed a season-long loan from the Blues yesterday evening.

Piazon can play in a variety of forward roles and out wide and Clarke hopes he will bring a positive influence to his squad.

"Lucas is a very talented attacking player who can create chances and score goals,” said Royals' boss.

“When we spoke I was impressed by both his maturity and desire to prove himself in English football after some loan moves to European leagues. I’m sure Lucas will bring something extra to our squad this season."

Reading had to beat off competition from a string of rival clubs to secure Piazon's signature.

He joined Chelsea in 2011 and was sent on loan to Malaga in 2012/13 then Vitesse Arnhem in 2013/14 where he netted 11 goals in 20 appearances in the Dutch top flight.

Piazon spent last season in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring against Schalke and Hamburg during his 22 appearances in Germany.

But Chelsea's 2012 FA Youth Cup winner has struggled to break into Jose Mourinho's star-studded first team and has been sent out on loan to the Madejski Stadium to gain further experience.

Royals chief executive Nigel Howe said: "We are excited to welcome Lucas to Madejski Stadium. He is a player with real talent and under Steve's management and the club's guidance we are sure he can flourish over the next 12 months.

"We are very pleased to have completed this deal, and as I speak, one can never be certain but we remain active in the transfer market."

Reading were in the hunt for Piazon's Blues teammate, Nathaniel Chalobah, but the 21-year-old midfielder looks set to join Italian club Napoli rather than opting for a second loan spell with Reading.

Clarke also missed out on long-term target, Robert Beric, after the 24-year-old striker joined St Etienne from Rapid Vienna yesterday.

But Royals boss is still hoping to push a couple more deals over the line before the transfer window shuts at 6pm tonight.

Norwich City striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel, 26, was on Royals' radar along with 23-year-old Benfica winger, Ola John. But van Wolfswinkel joined Real Bettis on loan for the season last night.

Clarke has also been heavily linked with Czech ace Matej Vydra, who is expected to leave Watford on a loan deal today.