http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/foo ... dans_babesMatt Mills to join Brendan's Babes
By Jonny Fordham
August 05, 2009
Matt Mills is set to complete his £2million move from Doncaster Rovers today and become the latest rising young star to join Reading.
The highly-rated centre-back had attracted interest from Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest.
But Mills is expected to sign a three-year deal at Madejski Stadium and become manager Brendan Rodgers’ first summer buy.
Royals agreed a fee with Doncaster late on Monday and Mills was at Hogwood Park yesterday evening for a medical and to hammer out personal terms with director of football Nick Hammond.
The Swindon-born 23-year-old is set to meet and train with his new team-mates today before being unveiled as a Reading player tomorrow.
It is believed that the initial fee is around £1.5million, but if Royals get promoted that would rise to £2million.
Mills, who will be the third most expensive signing in the club’s history, is set to be included in Reading’s squad for their first
Championship game of the season against Forest at Madejski Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
He joins a host of youngsters being given their chance by Rodgers.
Mills was at Southampton Academy with England and Arsenal ace Theo Walcott and he had loan spells at Coventry City and Bournemouth.
He then went to Manchester City before becoming Doncaster’s record transfer when they signed him for £300,000 in July 2008.
He made 45 appearances for Rovers last season.
His arrival could pave the way for Cameroon defender Andre Bikey to leave. French club Marseille are interested in acquiring Bikey’s services for around £2.5million.
However, he exclusively told the Post two weeks ago that he is happy at the club and is not actively seeking a move away from Berkshire.
Bikey is suspended for the first three games of the season following his red card against Burnley in the play-offs last season.