Coca-Cola Divisions: Les Ferdinand signs for Reading

Les Ferdinand has snubbed a move to Southampton in order to join Championship outfit Reading.

The former England international had looked certain to pen a deal with Southampton, having been in attendance to witness the club's 3-3 stalemate with Fulham on Wednesday.

Saints boss Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his desire to bolster his squad during the January transfer window, having acquired the services of son Jamie and Calum Davenport from Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Ferdinand has now elected to join Reading's push for promotion rather than Southampton's battle to beat the drop.

Reading boss Steve Coppell will see the acquisition of Ferdinand's signature as a noticeable coup - with the experienced hit man having inked a deal until the end of the current campaign.

Ferdinand has signed on a free transfer having been released from his contract at Bolton, after failing to win a regular starting berth in the North West.

Skysports

am suprised he turned down southampton, maybe he feels they are on the way down. and reading are going up? do they look certs for promotion TRD, and maybe he will bang more goals for reading

Reading are looking pretty good, they have slipped up a bit recently but they will challenge for a top six spot...

Ferdinand has always been a good pro, i think he realises aswell he can't hack it in the Prem no more. He shouldn't have left West Ham, he had a good contract with us and we wanted him for one more season..