Afobe joins Reading on loan

Arsenal striker Benik Afobe has joined Reading on loan until the end of the season.

Afobe, 19, is yet to appear for Arsenal in a first-team match but made 32 appearances in all competitions during a loan spell with Huddersfield Town last season.

The striker joins the Royals as they look to mount a push for promotion back to the Premier League after losing to Swansea in the Championship play-off final last year. Brian McDermott’s side sit second in the Championship table.

“We’re delighted to have him, he wanted to come here and that was important because he had other options,” McDermott told Reading’s official website.

“We know him very well, we have watched him from a very young age. He’s played a lot of games for England right up to the Under-19s and then out on loan last season as well.

“He’s a good addition to the squad and will help us with eight games to go.”

Royals director of football Nicky Hammond pointed out that Afobe’s versatility would help Reading because he is capable of playing out wide.

“Benik is a talented young player that we have known for some time,” Hammond said.

“He is very highly thought of at Arsenal, he is versatile and can play both through the middle or out wide. He’s also a fantastic boy so is a good addition to the group for the run-in.”