Oman’s Al Habsi extends England stay with Reading switch

The 34-year-old stopper was officially unveiled as the Royals’ fifth summer signing on Tuesday having trained with the Berkshire club for the past couple of weeks, which included playing the first half of Reading’s 2-2 draw with a Thailand All Star team during their pre-season tour of the Far East.

Reading is Al Habsi’s fourth English club having played for Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League, 2013/14 FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic, where he was their 2011 Player of the Season, and Brighton & Hove Albion, on a one-month loan deal from Wigan.

“Ali is exactly the type of experienced goalkeeper that we need at this time and I'm delighted that he has chosen to join us,” Reading manager Steve Clarke told the club’s official website.

“Ali has good knowledge of the English game both in the Championship and the Premier League. He is a great shot stopper and has already impressed everyone with his abilities in the shooting sessions during training. 

“Alongside Jonathan Bond and Stuart Moore, Ali brings the goalkeeping department to a very good level and the competition for places should ensure a really high standard.” 

Al Habsi, who was the Norwegian league’s goalkeeper of the year in 2004 during a three-season stint with Lyn Oslo, admits that he is relishing the challenge of contesting the number one spot with England U-21 international Bond, who joined the club at the beginning of July on a three-year contract from Watford.

“We have a group of goalkeepers, real competition,” said Al Habsi, who made his 100th appearance for Oman during the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia.

"In football there is always competition, now I have to prove myself, work hard every day, that's what I did from my first day, hopefully it will all go well and I'm looking forward to playing my first game.

“I look forward to giving something back for the team, the players and the fans. The only thing now is to work hard and prove my performance level.”

Photo: AFP