{"id":568298,"date":"2020-10-04T12:29:14","date_gmt":"2020-10-04T16:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=568298"},"modified":"2020-12-28T11:24:25","modified_gmt":"2020-12-28T16:24:25","slug":"reading-sign-alfa-semedo-on-loan-from-benfica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/10\/04\/reading-sign-alfa-semedo-on-loan-from-benfica\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading Sign Alfa Semedo on Loan From Benfica"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reading have completed the signing of Benfica midfielder Alfa Semedo on a season-long loan. The Royals, who currently sit second in the Championship after a strong start, confirmed the move earlier this afternoon, although the 23-year-old was present at the Madejski Stadium yesterday to watch his new side beat Watford<\/a> 1-0.<\/p>\n

Alfa Semedo Joins Reading on Loan<\/h2>\n

A Quality Addition<\/h3>\n

Speaking to the club website about the signing, new Reading boss Veljko Paunovic said: \u201cI\u2019m pleased we have been able to add a player of Alfa\u2019s ability to our squad. He is strong, powerful, versatile, comfortable on the ball and full of energy – and I am looking forward to working with him on the training pitch.<\/p>\n

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\u201cImportantly I am sure he will fit in well amongst this group of players and I am sure he will provide even more competition for places when we next take to the field after the international break.\u201d<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Royals have made a fine start to the season – something that wasn’t expected after they surprisingly parted company with Mark Bowen<\/a> shortly before the start of the campaign and hired an unknown in Paunovic.<\/div>\n
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Prior to their success over Watford on Saturday, Reading had also eased past Derby County, Barnsley and Cardiff City<\/a> – although they did exit the Carabao Cup at the hands of Luton Town.<\/div>\n

Who is Alfa Semedo?<\/h3>\n

Twenty-three-year-old Semedo joined Benfica at the age of 16. A successful loan spell at Vilafranquense saw him then sign permanently for Moreirense.<\/p>\n

Such were his performances for his new club, he was bought back to Benfica and scored on his debut for the senior team in a 2-2 friendly draw against Borussia Dortmund.<\/p>\n

He joins with Champions League experience having scored the winner in Benfica’s 3-2 win against AEK Athens. However, he has also had a taste of the Championship too having made 24 appearances during a loan spell at Nottingham Forest last season.<\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>