Reading have snapped up Watford defender Adrian Mariappa for £2.5 million, their sixth signing of the summer.
What can we tell you about him?
1) Mariappa is 25-years-old and has made more than 200 appearances for Watford.
2) He is a central defender, who can also play at right-back, and has scored just four professional career goals, of which the first came in 2009.
3) He has played one season in the Premier League, when Watford were in the top flight in 2006-07. He played 19 times mainly at right-back, and was part of a backline which supported goalkeeper Ben Foster, on loan from Manchester United.
4) Born in Harrow, North London, his dad is from Fiji, and he turned down an international call-up from them in 2010. This summer he elected to play for Jamaica, making his debut in May, as he qualifies to play for them through grandparents.
5) Reading have pulled off a coup, with both Arsenal and Newcastle United linked with signing the player in January. The Geordies even had a bid turned down by Watford.
Watch a rare Mariappa goal as captured by a fan from the stands…
Will Mariappa be a success in the Premier League?
image: © crystian cruz
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