Posh secure the loan signing of Reading shot-stopper.
Peterborough United have completed the six-month loan signing of Reading goalkeeper Jonathan Bond with the former England under 21 international completing the necessary paperwork at the Mick George Training Academy on Monday afternoon.
The 24-year-old has made 14 appearances for the Royals after starting his career with Watford and linked up with his new team-mates and Goalkeeping Coach Mark Tyler ahead of the pre-season training camp in Spain on Wednesday.
Bond, who briefly spent time with Tyler at Vicarage Road, was pleased to commit his future for the next six months to Posh, and said: “I spoke to the manager Grant McCann and he was very positive about the future and I am pleased to be here. I am looking forward to getting started. I know Mark Tyler, we were actually together for a short period of time at Watford and he has a lot of football league experience under his belt.
“I like to play out from the back, goalkeeping is always evolving, but I have always had that within my game. Jaap Stam at Reading likes to play that way and I know the gaffer here is keen to play that way too. It was important for me to get this move done at the start of pre-season, we go away to Spain on Wednesday and it will be great to meet the lads and get going.”
Goalkeeping Coach Mark Tyler added: “Jonathan was top of our list, he has played in the Championship with Watford and is a good young talent. I was at Watford when he was there and you could tell at 17-18-years-old he was going to be an excellent goalkeeper and it is great that Reading have allowed him to join us.
“Jonathan is comfortable with the ball at his feet, the gaffer wants to play that way and we will work hard in training to work on that part of his game and try and improve him as a goalkeeper in every part of his game. I am excited to work with him.”
Manager Grant McCann commented: “Jonathan has good experience, he has played in the Championship with Watford and was part of the side that got promoted with them. He is being coached well by David Beasant at Reading and we are pleased that they have allowed him to come here for six months. If all works well then hopefully we can extend it in January.
“It was important for us to get a goalkeeper in at this stage of pre-season. He can get to know the lads out in Spain and I am sure he will fit in quickly. It is a good bit of business and we are pleased that everything has been concluded.”