April 10 2002

Crystal Palace

Young midfielder Steve Warren has joined Reading on a one-year contract.

The 18-year-old will play for the Royals next season after signing after the transfer deadline.

Reading youth team coach Brendan Rogers plans to give him a spell in the reserves first after he completed a successful trial.

Rogers said: "He reminds me of Kevin Watson - he's that type of player. We've had lots of boys here with similar potential who haven't made it, but he's shown a good appetite to learn."

DAVE SWINDLEHURST said: "He was quite highly-rated when he came here but the club felt he hadn't made progress."