Cork City have confirmed that they have agreed a fee with Barclays Premiership outfit Reading for central defender Alan Bennett.

No details of the fee where announced by either side, however the price agreed is believed to be in the €380,000 region.

The timing of the agreement means that Bennett is available for selection for the Premiership match agianst Wigan tomorrow night at the Madjeski Stadium.

Cork City said in a statement: 'We wish to thank Alan Bennett for his wonderful dedication and services to his hometown football club.

'It has to be stated that Alan's ambition to perform in the FA Premiership was the pivotal aspect of the decision.'


Yet another Cork City player of to Reading and yet another good player from our league moving to Britain, theres been too many of them recently. They got a better price that the 100k for Doyle & Long but I still think hes underpriced. Good luck to the lad, hope he does well in the Premiership

Think he'll make an appearance tomorrow night?

Good bit of business by Reading again though, two absolute bargain buys not long ago, and they've gone and done the same again. Well done Reading

im really chuffed with this signing and really hope he can continue the trend of fantastic irish players at Reading. A fantastic piece of dealing and also will now hopefully mean we steer clear of Michael Duberry!!!! result!

He should be a good buy, hes not the youngest - about 26 I think, but he should improve their defence and if he follows what Doyle and recently Long(who scored again tonight) are doing then he could be a big success. The price is apparently €450k though, not 380k so Cork got a decent deal, that sort of money isnt much in the Premiership but it should be a big financial boost for Cork.

anyone know if Bennett played tonight?

No he wasnt in the 16. Long was magnificent though!

Yeah I just saw an interview with him on Sky Sports, says hes nowhere near match fit yet. its pre season over here now so it will probably be a while before he plays

Yeah thats what i thought

Any chance anybody over the water wants to take him back?

You mean Barca or Madrid?

Has he even played a single game for you?!

Nope. He played pre season I think and then went out on loan to Southampton where he was good and bad, generally incosistent.

He's now on loan in bloody League Two at Brentford. Will be gone in the Summer.