Hunt signs improved deal at Reading
Monday, 9 July 2007Republic of Ireland international Stephen Hunt has signed a new three-year contract with Reading.
Hunt, who joined the Royals on a free transfer from Brentford in 2005, still had two years remaining on his original deal.
But the left winger has agreed an improved contract, reported to be worth £15,000 a week, after attracting interest from a host of other Barclays Premier League clubs.
Reading's director of football Nick Hammond said: 'Stephen Hunt is a great example of what can be achieved with belief, dedication and willpower.
'He rose to the challenge last season with some superb performances to become a key member of our team, and we think he will get even better in the next three years.'
Hunt's performances for Reading last season earned him a call-up on the Republic of Ireland's summer tour to America and played against both Ecuador and Bolivia.
Hunt was linked with West Ham and Bolton and, despite holding out for the best deal, insists he was always happy to stay at the Madejski.
'I'm very pleased to sign,' he said.
'Over the last couple of seasons Reading Football Club has become a very big part of my life and hopefully both the club and myself will continue to move forward. I am very happy to stay.'
Hunt is in the 24-man Reading squad due to fly out to South Korea this evening for the Peace Cup, where the Royals are grouped with French champions Lyon and Argentinian giants River Plate.
Coppell is proud to be involved with such company after Reading's eighth-place finish on their Barclays Premier League debut last season.
But he also knows the trip to Seoul will be vital to their hopes of emulating that success next season.
'It's exciting to be playing River Plate and the French champions, when else would we get the chance to do that?' Coppell told the Reading World.
'We are part of this tournament by right and I just hope we can give a good account of ourselves.
'We want to do well but these are our first games of pre-season and we have to be mindful of a lot of factors.'
Coppell's squad includes newly-contracted youngsters Hal Robson-Kanu and James Henry, while Kalifa Cisse will make his club debut after moving from Boavista.
