Experienced stopper pens two-year deal with Reading
We are delighted to announce that we have completed a deal to bring experienced goalkeeper David Button to the Royals on a two-year contract.
The 34-year-old bolsters Rubén Sellés’ goalkeeping options as he moves into his 17th season as a professional.
Most recently with West Bromwich Albion, Button has made over 350 appearances throughout his career, including 20 as Fulham earned promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2017-18.
He knows what it takes to earn promotion from League One, starting 42 of Brentford’s matches during the 2013-14 season as the Bees finished second to end their 21-year absence from the second division.
A product of the Tottenham Hotspur youth academy, Button made his sole appearance for the club in 5-1 League Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers in August 2009.
He spent much of his time at the club out on loan, representing 12 different clubs by the age of 23. This included a season in League One with Plymouth Argyle in the 2010-11 campaign.
Button eventually left Spurs to join Charlton Athletic in 2012, before moving onto Brentford a year later. It was there that he established himself as the first choice, both in the successful 2013-14 League One campaign, and the following two seasons in the Championship.
A move to West London rivals Fulham followed in 2016, making 40 appearances in his first season, and was on the bench as the Cottagers fell to a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Reading in the 2016-17 play-off semi-finals.
Fulham would earn promotion through the play-offs the following season, with Button making the switch to Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of the 2018-19 season. It was with the Seagulls that he made his Premier League debut, in a 1-0 home win against Everton in December 2018.
Button would go on to make three more appearances in the top-flight before moving to his most recent club, West Brom, in September 2020. He made his only Premier League appearance for the club in a 3-2 away win against Black Country rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
He made 13 appearances for the Baggies last season, and was on the bench for both matches against the Royals. And now he will offer another option in a Reading shirt.
Mark Bowen, Head of Football Operations, said: “In securing David’s signature, we are bringing in an immensely experienced goalkeeper who has nous, knowhow, and quality. He is a model pro who will raise the standard for the team, both on the pitch and around the training ground. He’s keen to help some of our young goalkeepers learn, but most importantly he wants to prove himself as the prime candidate for the starting position.”
Welcome to the Royals, David!
