Stephen Quinn joins Reading on free transfer

Manchester City’s Jack Byrne will join Dutch side SC Cambuur on a season-long loan

Irish international Stephen Quinn has joined Reading. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Irish international Stephen Quinn has joined Reading. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho

Irish international Stephen Quinn has signed a three-year deal with Championship side Reading, joining them on a free transfer after three years with Hull City.

Quinn made 28 appearances for the Tigers in the Premier League last term, scoring against Arsenal in April, and he also earned six Republic of Ireland caps throughout the course of 2014/15.

Reading manager Steve Clarke said: "Stephen is an unassuming player but has always caught my eye and, when I knew he was available, I targeted him quite early in the summer. His performances are always of a good standard and he is a talented, industrious, aggressive midfielder who can be influential in games.

“Obviously he has just experienced relegation at Hull City and is desperate to get back to the Premier League as quickly as possible, which can only be good for us. He has previous experience of playing in the Championship and was an important member of the Hull City team that gained promotion to the Premier League in 2012/13 season.

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“Stephen is also a good character who will have a positive effect in our changing room and, just as importantly, on our younger players here at Reading FC.”

The 29-year-old began his career with St Patrick’s Athletic, making his League of Ireland debut as an 18-year-old, before moving to Sheffield United a year later.

His first of 220 starts for the Blades came in the Carling Cup away at Shrewsbury Town in September 2005. His next cap followed a month later, coming in the same competition at Madejski Stadium, in a clash that Reading won 2-0.

Successful loan stints at Milton Keynes Dons and Rotherham United also came during the 2005/06 season for the dynamic engine roomer, as parent club United and the Royals were both promoted to the Premier League.

He made 15 top-flight appearances the following campaign, scoring his first professional goal against Aston Villa, and also found the net against Portsmouth.

Quinn joined Hull City in the summer of 2012 and played 50 games in his first season at the KC Stadium as Steve Bruce's side won promotion back to the Premier League. The following year, he played an integral role as they reached their first ever FA Cup final, scoring in their semi-final win and starting the final against Arsenal.

Internationally, the Dublin-born midfielder has been capped 13 times by Ireland and, last season, he played 76 minutes as the Boys in Green secured a 1-1 draw against world champions Germany in Euro 2016 qualifying.

Meanwhile Ireland Under-19 international Jack Byrne will join Dutch side SC Cambuur on a season-long loan less than 24 hours after signing a new three-year deal at Manchester City.

The promising youngster will wear the number 10 jersey at the club who finished in 12th place last season in the Eredivisie.