Jem Karacan pens new Reading FC deal

By Anthony Smith • Published 19 Sep 2012 13:11 0 Comments

But contracts talks with Simon Church break down

JEM Karacan has signed a new contract with Reading FC.

The 23-year-old midfielder was in the last year of his current contract, but has now signed a deal until summer 2015.

Turkey Under 21 star Karacan was linked with a host of clubs in the summer including Turkish giants Galatasaray.

But he has now ended all speculation by pledging his future to the Royals following lengthy contract talks.

He admitted: "I'm delighted to finally get it done. We've been in negotiations for a little while so it's great to put pen to paper.

"To come through the ranks at Reading has been brilliant. Ever since I arrived here, I've always wanted to become a first team regular and in the last couple of years I've managed to do that."

Karacan joined Reading's Academy in 2003 and is in his ninth year at Madejski Stadium. He has made 136 first-team appearances, scoring eight goals.

He was virtually ever present last season with 37 appearances during the club's title-winning campaign before he breaking his ankle against Leeds United.

Manager Brian McDermott stated: "We are delighted that Jem has committed his future to us, he has been an integral part of what we've been trying to achieve for quite some time now.

"He's a great lad who is very much one of our own and we are really pleased that he has signed this new deal."

However, McDermott has also revealed that contract talks with Simon Church have broken down, with the 23-year-old Wales striker in the last year of his current deal.

Ipswich Town were eager to sign him in the summer but landed Peterborough United's Paul Taylor instead.

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