Saints loan Royals stopper
01 Aug 2007 - 08:29:43
Southampton have signed Reading's Irish centre-back Alan Bennett on a six-month loan deal.
The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international has yet to feature for the Royals first team and will gain valuable experience at St Mary's.
Saints boss George Burley told the club's official website: "Alan is a great lad, a fantastic character and an experienced professional.
"He did very well for Reading last year in their reserve team and is coming here looking for first-team games.
"Alan can offer us an awful lot and I have no questions over his ability to come in and perform for us.
"He has made a number of appearances for the Republic of Ireland and that sort of experience is priceless.
"He is not the sort of lad to rest on his laurels though and I am sure he will learn things from the set-up here and keep improving as a player."
