Drenthe joins Reading
Reading completed a coup with the signing of Dutch left-sided midfield player Royston Drenthe yesterday on a free transfer.
The former Feyenoord, Everton and Real Madrid man was once rated one of the best budding prospects in European football when starring for Holland under-21's. Now 26, his fortunes have faded badly having cost Real Madrid a whopping €14m in 2007. Unable to force his way into the starting line-up regularly enough at the Bernebéu, the Dutchman took in loan spells with Hércules and Everton without finding a permanent home at either club.
A lucrative offer to join Russian side Alania Vladikavkaz presented itself in December 2012, five months after the end of his Real contract. Despite making a fine impression during his short spell at the club, Drenthe couldn't help keep Alania in the top-flight as they suffered relegation disappointment come the season's end.
The La Liga winner took a surprising next step in his career by signing up with Championship promotion hopefuls Reading. Manager Nigel Adkins will feel the powerful Drenthe can bring experience and creativity to his team, while the player can showcase his talent at a club where he's likely to feature week-in, week-out.
Once-capped Netherlands international Drenthe did reasonably well at Goodison Park throughout his loan stint in the 2011-12 campaign and many believed he'd done enough to clinch a full-time switch to Merseyside, but it didn't come to fruition. Now, he gets a second opportunity to build a solid career in the English game and he'll be determined to lead the Royals back to the Premier League as quickly as possible following the club's drop from the big league last season.
The Rotterdam-born star is ready to get his career back on track, having witnessed a decline in recent years. The early promise that saw Drenthe cause waves in Feyenoord's first-team at the age of just 18 can be recaptured. It isn't too late for the versatile left-footer to recall those days and to cement a legacy with the Berkshire club over the two years of his initial contract and beyond.
Meanwhile, the fans will be pinching themselves at the prospect of a former Real Madrid footballer coming into the club at an age when he should be entering his peak years. If boss Adkins can get him fit and firing, while allowing him plenty of game-time, the recently-relegated side can expect a glorious return from a player ready to finally make his mark in the game.
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