Mariappa deal done

Reading have completed the signing of Watford defender Adrian Mariappa on a three-year deal.

The 25-year-old has long been linked with a move away from the npower Championship outfit, with Newcastle and Wigan both thwarted in January moves for the centre-back. Mariappa has now left Vicarage Road, though, and joined the Barclays Premier League new boys, who say they have paid "a significant fee" for his services. "It's a great feeling to have signed," Mariappa told the club's official website, www.readingfc.co.uk. "The Premier League is the best in the world, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to come here, try to work my way into the team and perform for Reading Football Club." Mariappa becomes the Royals' fifth summer signing, following the additions of Pavel Pogrebnyak, Nicky Shorey, Danny Guthrie and Garath McCleary.