Experienced defender agrees one-year Reading deal
We are very pleased to announce that former Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Crystal Palace defender Scott Dann has signed a one-year deal with Reading Football Club.
With nearly 250 Premier League appearances to his name, the 34-year-old centre-back’s contract expired at Crystal Palace this summer and he will now bring a wealth of experience to the Royals back line for 2021-22.
Royals boss Veljko Paunovic said, “Scott will play a crucial part in helping us keep clean sheets and win football matches. A natural leader, Scott will be another important cog in the first team machine we are trying to construct.”
Liverpool-born centre-back Dann has more 450 career appearances to his name and is one match short of 400 starts in league football.
And it all began for the defender at Walsall, where he spent the first five years of his career – making his professional debut as a Saddler as a substitute in a 3-0 League One win over Chesterfield in January 2005.
Capped internationally by the England Under-21 side whilst at the Bescot Stadium, Dann furthered his development with loan moves to Danish side Koge BK as well as Redditch United and Hednesford Town.
In 2006, he lifted the League Two title with Walsall and Dann was soon snapped up by Championship side Coventry City, where he would spend two seasons in tier two. The centre-half captained the Sky Blues and his performances were quickly rewarded with a Premier League move across the Midlands to Birmingham City in June 2009.
His first taste of top-flight football was accompanied by some silverware at St Andrew’s when he helped City win the Carling Cup in 2011 and he joined Blackburn Rovers the following summer.
After more than 100 starts at Ewood Park, Dann signed for newly-promoted Crystal Palace in 2013 – the start of an eight year spell at Selhurst Park! During his time as an Eagle, Dann earned the captain’s armband, was named the club’s Player of the Year in 2014-15 and played in an FA Cup Final against Manchester United at Wembley the following year.
Last season, Dann registered 15 Premier League appearances for Palace, scoring the last of his 16 goals for the club when he headed home from an Eberechi Eze corner to register the opening goal in a 4-1 win over Leeds United.
Now a Royal, Dann will wear the blue and white shirt during our 150th anniversary season and could make his Reading debut at the Select Car Leasing Stadium when domestic action resumes with a clash against QPR after the international break.
Chief Executive Dayong Pang added: “I’m very pleased to have Scott sign with us. He’s a centre-back who has so much experience of top-flight football and that vast experience will deliver so much to our first team squad at Reading. I look forward to seeing him pull on our hoops!”
Welcome to the Royals, Scott!
