© EuroFootball.com
Defenders of the English Premier League newcomer club, Icelanders Brynjar Gunnarsson and Ivar Ingimarsson, respectively, have extended their contracts for two and one years.
Icelandic national team player B. Gunnarsson, 31, has signed a two-year contract and will remain with Reading until the summer of 2008, while I. Ingimarsson, 29, has decided to extend his contract for one year and will represent the "Royals" until 2007.
Both Icelanders were key players in the Reading squad last year, when the team earned promotion to the Premier League after gathering more than 100 points in the English Championship league, and currently continue to hold their places in the starting lineup.
"They are both outstanding professionals and we are delighted to have attracted them to our club," said the club's sporting director Nick Hammond.
B. Gunnarsson left Watford in 2005 and became a free agent, with Reading seizing the opportunity to sign him in July 2005 without a transfer fee. Previously, this Icelander played for teams such as Stoke City and Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, Reading acquired I. Ingimarsson from Brighton in October 2003 for £100,000. The defender has previously represented Wolves, Brentford, and Torquay in his career.
"The contract is a recognition from the club - it means they believe in me and think I can perform well in the Premier League, and for that, I am extremely grateful," said I. Ingimarsson.
"I am very happy that the club has extended my contract and I will gladly represent them for another year and a half," added another Icelander, B. Gunnarsson.
Currently, Reading has 16 points in the English Premier League, occupying the 11th position, and in the last round, the team defeated Tottenham at home with a score of 3-1.
