Shane Long Wait for West Brom Finally Over

Shane Long

West Bromwich have at last signed Reading striker Long for an unrevealed fee, the club have confirmed.

Shane has put pen to paper on an initial three-year agreement with the option for an added twelve months.

Roy Hodgson

Long becomes Baggies head coach Roy Hodgson's sixth signing of the summer with the fee understood to be an initial £4.5million, rising to a promising £6.5 million with add-ons.

He is presently on international duty with the Republic of Ireland, preparing for clash with Croatia in Dublin.

Barclays Premier League

But Long will be in contention to make his West Brom debut in Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United at the Hawthorns.

West Brom

Albion declared the deal after the results of Long's medical proved positive. He becomes their sixth signing of the close season but the first for whom they have paid a transfer fee.

Billy Jones, Gareth McAuley, Zoltan Gera and Marton Fulop were Bosman transfers while Ben Foster signed on a season-long loan from Birmingham.

Shane Long celebrating

Long has been Baggies head coach Roy Hodgson's number one striker target across the summer to provide support for last season's top scorer, Peter Odemwingie.

He scored 25 goals for the Royals previous season and was joined with a move to West Ham.

John Madejski

Reading also confirm Long's move in an announcement with Chairman Sir John Madejski saying: "Shane has been a conscientious and loyal servant for Reading.

"Water will always find its own level, and nobody can deny a talented young player the opportunity to play at the highest level when they have the ability to do so.

"Had we won (the play-off final) at Wembley, I have no doubt that Shane would still be playing for Reading, but we wish him great luck at West Brom."

Brian McDermott

Reading manager Brian McDermott said: "West Bromwich Albion and Roy Hodgson are very lucky to get Shane and I'm sure their fans will see what a great talent he is and how hard he'll work for the team."