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Kitson: Scored in his last Royals appearance at Didcot Town
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Kitson: Potters move was too good to refuse

By Nick Ive
July 21, 2008

Dave Kitson admits the chance of a swift return to the Premier League was too good to turn down.

The 28-year-old striker clinched a move to Premier League new boys Stoke City last Friday in a three-year deal that could net Royals as much as £5.5million.

And Kitson, who was also being tracked by Fulham, Wigan and West Brom, admitted: “Reading are a club that I would have hoped to finish my career with.

“I just wanted them to be in the Premier League so badly and I was distraught when we got relegated.

“I think, if you say you want to play Premier League football, and then go to a team and sit on their bench, that is hugely disrespectful. I want to play 38 games and I can do that here at Stoke.”

The Potters are among the favourites for the drop, despite having only just clinched promotion to the Premier League, and Kitson admitted: “It’s hard, but as a newly-promoted team what you do have in your locker is the fact you’re an unknown quantity and you have to utilise that and play to your strengths.

“You can roll over and die, or you can compete, and if I didn’t think we could compete I wouldn’t be here.”

Reading also look like losing James Harper to Middlesbrough, who could make their move this week.

Royals want at least £4.5million for the midfielder, who automatically went on the transfer list following relegation, as they must hand his former club Arsenal nearly 40 per cent of any fee.

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Using the words "Footballer" and "loyalty" in the same breath makes about as much sense as using the words "Mugabe" and "freedom"

ray northstander
22/07/2008 at 12:35

Whats the point of signing a 3 year deal with stoke? If they do go down then he will soon be on his way out looking for a club in the prem. No loyalty to the club and to be honest a disgrace.

Tom Yapaz De La Cruz
22/07/2008 at 09:27

I agree with Loyal Royal. I also presume the ginger one will be moving from Stoke in a year's time when they get relegated...?

Travis, Katesgrove
21/07/2008 at 15:09

I wonder how much his agent got from the deal? "I'm 28 and time is running out" - that is rubbish - ask Teddy Sheringham or Dean Windass! It is all about a short term pay rise with a club that have a slim chance of staying up.