Reading sign Chelsea's Danny Drinkwater and Scott Dann after Crystal Palace exit

Danny Drinkwater featured for Chelsea in pre-season, having spent the second half of last season on loan in Turkey

Championship club Reading have signed Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater on a season-long loan deal and brought in defender Scott Dann on a free transfer.

Drinkwater, 31, joined the Blues from Leicester in 2017 but has only featured 23 times for the Premier League club.

He has had loan spells at Burnley, Aston Villa and Turkish club Kasimpasa since his last senior outing for the west London outfit in August 2018.

Dann, 34, has agreed a one-year deal after his release by Crystal Palace.

The centre-back, who has also had stints at Coventry, Birmingham and Blackburn, scored 16 goals in 181 appearances during seven and a half years with the Eagles.

"Scott will be another important cog in the first-team machine we are trying to construct," boss Veljko Paunovic said.

"Danny's talent and ability is unquestionable and to bring a player of his calibre to our club is extremely exciting.

"A proven winner, he is a player whose achievements on the pitch can inspire those around him and help to drive this club forward."

Drinkwater becomes the second Chelsea player to join the Royals on loan this summer, following left-back Baba Rahman's move to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

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