Hope Akpan swaps Reading for Blackburn Rovers

Midfielder Hope Akpan has swapped Championship clubs, leaving Reading to join Blackburn Rovers on a two-year deal.

The 23-year-old, who is a Nigeria international, will be available to make his debut at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, but not in tonight's League Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town.

Reading manager Steve Clarke said that he allowed Akpan to leave as he feels that he has enough players to choose from.

"It is an area of the pitch where we are well covered and it would be wrong to deny Hope the chance to play matches and start to move his career forward again," Clarke told the Royals' website.

"He was always a good person in my squad with the correct attitude towards training and I wish him well for the future."

A former Everton youngster, Akpan joined Reading from Crawley Town in January 2013 and made 63 appearances for the Royals.