Ake joins Reading on loan from Chelsea; Crawley bring in Cofie

Chelsea F.C. defender Nathan Ake has joined Championship side Reading on loan from Chelsea until 22 April.

The Holland youth international, 20, joined the Blues from Feyenoord in the summer of 2011, and has since made 11 first-team appearances for the club.

Ake is ineligible to play for Reading against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on 18 April after featuring for Chelsea in the earlier stages of the competition.

Nevertheless, Royals boss Steve Clarke is absolutely thrilled with the addition of the versatile Dutchman, and rightly so.

“I am delighted to add a player of Nathan’s quality to our first team squad at this important time of the season,” Clarke said.

“He has been a fixture in Chelsea’s first team squad this season and we are grateful that Chelsea have allowed him to join us here at Reading to get some competitive minutes on the pitch.

“He is a very talented player who I have been aware of for some time and I look forward to working with Nathan in the coming weeks.”

Crawley bring in Cofie

League One side Crawley Town F.C. have completed the signing of former Manchester United starlet John Cofie on a one-month deal.

Cofie, 22, arrives at the Broadfield Stadium as a free agent after being released by Norwegian Tippeligaen champions Molde FK in January.

The 22-year-old never featured for United, but spent time on loan at Royal Antwerp, Sheffield United and Notts County, totaling six goals in 36 league appearances between 2012 and 2013. 

“John was a free agent and he’s a player I have been aware of for some time,” said Crawley manager Dean Saunders. “He’s got a lot of natural talent and he’s been with us for a few days now and has fitted in well.

“This is a new challenge for him back in England. I’m excited to be working with him and I’m convinced he can make an impression at this level. He gives us another option up front at a crucial stage of the season.”

Cofie could debut for the Reds against Gillingham at the weekend.

Boateng signs new Palace deal

Crystal Palace F.C. midfielder Hiram Boateng has penned a new deal which will keep him at the club until June 2017.

Boateng, no relation to Jerome or Kevin-Prince, made his senior debut in FA Cup third round replay against Stoke City in January 2013, and has been tipped for a bright future ever since being named Academy Player of the Year in 2012/13.

“We’ve been talking about things since December and it got sorted out last week,” Boateng said.

“I spoke to [Alan Pardew] quite a bit, I’ve had a few sessions with the first team and he came to watch some of our development games at Tooting and Mitcham.

“He said he liked what he saw and he wants me to kick on and get some more aspects to my game.

“It’s great being in and around the first team and it’s good watching that level of players and seeing how they cope in a Premier League game. It’s what I want to be doing soon.”