Mills completes Foxes move

Reading captain Matt Mills has completed his transfer to Championship rivals Leicester City. He has signed a four-year deal with the Foxes, for a fee believed to be around £4.5 million rising to around £5.5 million.

The former Manchester City defender had one year left on his deal with the Royals and rejected a new contract offer last week, following interest from Premier League teams including Wolves and Stoke.

Foxes boss Sven-Goran Eriksson told the LCFC official website ‘Matthew is a quality defender and we are delighted to have secured his services.”

The former England manager went on to add: ‘He has since developed in to one of the best defenders outside of the Premier League. He is strong, composed and he is a natural leader. Matthew is a good talker and a real team player.”

This transfer now leaves potential problems for the Royals with only 2 recognised centre backs in Alex Pearce and Sean Morrison, following the departures of experienced centre half`s Ivar Ingimarsson and Zurab Khizanishvilli.

It also leaves the captains role wide open. Early favourites are Jobi McAnuff and Alex Pearce, with Adam Federici, Mikele Leigertwood and Andy Griffin potential contenders. McAnuff wore the armband on numerous occasions last season in Mills’ absence.

The club have come out and promised, as a part of their transfer policy, to sign a new centre half following the sale of Mills.

Colchester defender Magnus Okuonghae has been linked and Paul McShane is a defender that Royals boss Brian McDermott is an admirer of and could line up as a replacement.