Danny Drinkwater joins Reading on loan

Danny Drinkwater has joined Championship side Reading on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

The former Leicester midfielder has spent time away from Stamford Bridge in various loan spells in recent years, turning out for Burnley, Aston Villa and Turkish side Kasimpasa.

A new switch to the Royals has now been confirmed, with head coach Veljko Paunovic telling the club's website: “Danny’s talent and ability is unquestionable and to bring a player of his calibre to our club is extremely exciting.

“A proven winner, he is a player whose achievements on the pitch can inspire those around him and help to drive this club forward from the centre of midfield. We are very pleased to welcome him to Reading.”

Drinkwater joins another Chelsea loanee, Baba Rahman, at the Madejski Stadium. His contract expires in 2022 and he almost certainly won't be offered new terms, so this loan spell should give him the opportunity to attract some potential suitors for a permanent deal somewhere.

His performances with Leicester were exceptional, forming a brilliant midfield partnership with N'Golo Kante as they won the Premier League title in 2015/16. His stellar campaign saw him capped internationally with England in 2016, though he has not been called up since. He was named in the Three Lions' provisional squad for Euro 2016, but wasn't included in the final squad.

He spent one more season with Leicester after that title , featuring ten times during their Champions League campaign of 2016/17, and left when Chelsea paid the Foxes £35m late in that summer's transfer window.

The 31-year-old was used sparingly during his debut season in London and made just one appearance the following season under Maurizio Sarri, coming in the Community Shield.

Drinkwater made only five Premier League appearances combined during his loan spells with Burnley and Aston Villa.

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