Bennett joins Southampton on six-month loan deal

READING centre-back Alan Bennett has joined Southampton on a six-month loan deal.

The 25-year-old former Cork City defender has been training with the Championship club this week and has impressed manager George Burley.

And the Irish international finalised the details of the loan in time to make his Saints debut in last night’s pre-season 1-0 friendly win over Millwall at the New Den.

Bennett joined the Royals from Cork City in January and was called up by Steve Staunton to the full Irish side over the summer, and made his senior debut for the Royals in the 1-0 victory over Shimizu S-Pulse during the Peace Cup campaign in Korea earlier this month.

Royals boss Steve Coppell said the loan would give Bennett the chance to experience first team football.

“Considering the very competitive nature of the centre half position within our squad, this is a great opportunity for Alan to get regular first team football at a club with a rich history and with very serious designs on challenging for promotion this season.

Said Bennett: “I’ve signed until mid-January and I can’t wait to get out and start playing games. I’ve not come here to make up the numbers that’s for sure. It’s time to push on now and I just want to be playing games and making an impression.”

“I’ve not come here to make up the numbers that’s for sure. It was very important for me to come somewhere with a winning mentality.”

Southampton boss George Burley was delighted to add a Royals star to his squad, saying “Alan is a great lad, a fantastic character, and an experienced professional who made his name at Cork.

“He did very well for Reading last year in their reserve team and is coming here looking for first team games.”

“Obviously with Darren (Powell) and Claus (Lundekvam) out and with Chris Baird having left for Fulham, defence was somewhere that needed attention.

“He has made a number of appearances for the Republic of Ireland and that sort of experience is priceless. Alan can offer us an awful lot, and I have no questions over his ability to come in and perform for us.”