Nigel Adkins has been named new manager of Reading this morning.

Adkins signs a deal that will theoretically keep him at the Madejski until the summer of 2016.

After a hotseat race that featured the likes of Gus Poyet and Paolo Di Canio, the Royals went for Adkins as their pick to fill the empty boots of Brian McDermott, dumped two weeks ago.

Long-time assistant Andy Crosby will reportedly join Adkins and the pair will take the team to Arsenal on Saturday before a home meeting with Southampton.

Adkins said: "I've not made any comments since I left Southampton and I want to take the opportunity to thank all the people there.

"I thank the fans, the players and supporters. We were on a fantastic journey but we have to move on now.

"I am pleased to be the Reading manager. We will take it one game at a time and try and keep this club in the Premier League.

"It's a good club, I've been impressed with them and I've always known what sort of club it is. We're in the Premier League and we want to stay there. I am excited."

"I can't talk about Southampton as it's in the hands of the League Managers' Association," he added.

"I am looking to the future, I've had two months out and gone around Europe, I'm excited about the future and passionate about playing football."

Royals owner Anton Zingarevich said: "I am delighted to bring Nigel to our club because he is perfect for us.

"He has great respect within the game, his CV speaks for itself and he has many attributes as a manager, he is progressive, he develops players, his teams play attacking, passing football but most of all he knows how to win games at all levels."