READING have completed their second January signing with the capture of Romanian midfielder Adrian Popa for around £500,000.

The 28-year-old joins from Steaua Bucharest after passing a medical yesterday before signing a three-and-a-half year deal this morning.

Popa brings a wealth of club and international experience with him and he could make his debut at Birmingham City this evening (7.45pm ko) when he would become the first Romanian to play for the Royals.

Reading boss Jaap Stam said: “Adrian is a forward with enormous potential who has played at a high level in Romania as well as in European and international football.

“He is an experienced player, who is quick, a constant threat to the opposition, good on the ball and who is comfortable playing on the left, on the right or even up front in a two.

“With the amount of games we have coming up, a player of his quality will make it easier for us to rotate a little more and give some players a rest if we need to, so I’m delighted to have him here as part of our squad.”

Popa has made 137 league appearances for Steaua scoring 20 times.

He went there in 2012, signing a five-year contract, after helping Concordia Chiajna win promotion to the first division.

Popa then secured three consecutive league titles and won four domestic cup competitions with Steaua, becoming a firm fans' favourite.

He has played a number of times in the Champions League and featured against Manchester City earlier this season, and he also played both legs of a last-16 Europa League clash against Chelsea in 2013, staring in a 1-0 home win before a 3-1 loss at Stamford Bridge.

Popa has netted three goals in 21 international games for Romania and featured regularly during their Euro 2016 campaign, playing in all three group games against France, Switzerland and Albania.

Popa will take on squad number 25 with the Royals.

He becomes Jaap Stam's second January signing following the arrival of Tiago Ilori, who could be sidelined for up to six weeks with ankle ligament damage.

Stam is hoping to bring in more new additions before today's11pm transfer deadline