Tommy Elphick: Reading agree loan deal for Aston Villa centre-back

Tommy Elphick joined Aston Villa from Bournemouth in the summer of 2016

Reading have signed Aston Villa centre-back Tommy Elphick on loan until the end of the season.

Former Bournemouth and Brighton defender Elphick, 30, could make his debut against Burton Albion on Tuesday.

Elphick was ever-present when Bournemouth won promotion to the Premier League in the 2014-15 season.

"Tommy can play in the style we want and the experience he brings to the squad is also going to be very important," Royals boss Jaap Stam said.

Meanwhile, Reading winger Adrian Popa has agreed a loan move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Taawoun until the end of the season.

Romania international Popa, 29, has made just 16 appearances for the Royals since joining from Steaua Bucharest in January 2017.

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