© EuroFootball.com
The newcomer of the English Premier League continues to strive to maintain the core of the team that has been very successful this season - the club has signed new contracts with two more players. These are the former "Chelsea" left-back Stephen Hunt and one of the most productive strikers in the league, Kevin Doyle.
23-year-old K. Doyle, who has already scored ten goals this season in the English Premier League, has signed a contract valid until the summer of 2010, while the 25-year-old hardworking left-back S. Hunt has committed to stay at Reading until 2009.
"These are just amazing news. I am extremely pleased that these players have tied their future with Reading," said club owner John Madejski. "They are two wonderful guys and very important players who embody all that is good in football."
Irish national team striker K. Doyle ranks third in the English championship in terms of scoring and is only surpassed by the Ivory Coast national team and Chelsea star Didier Drogba and Portugal and Manchester United golden boy Cristiano Ronaldo, who have scored twelve and eleven goals respectively.
Meanwhile, S. Hunt, who became infamous when he accidentally injured Chelsea's goalkeeper Petr Čech in a game, is also showing excellent form this season and managed to score a goal.
"Kevin's new contract is very significant for us to continue moving forward," said Reading sports director Nick Hammond. "He quickly became a superb Premier League striker. What is great about Kevin is that despite his rapid rise, he has remained as humble as he was when we signed him from Cork City 18 months ago."
"Since we acquired Stephen Hunt, he has been playing amazingly for our team, and we are extremely pleased that he has extended his contract for the next two years. He is very energetic, enthusiastic, and a breath of fresh air in training," added N. Hammond.
Previously, the American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, defenders from Iceland Brynjar Gunnarsson and Ivar Ingimarsson, and team captain Graeme Murty have also extended their contracts with Reading.
Currently, the team coached by Steve Coppell, Reading, is in 9th place in the English championship with 30 points.
