Not surprising news this really. Tommy Elphick, who we bought from AFC Bournemouth for £3million (ish!) in the summer of 2016 (not quite got the same ring as the Summer of 69 has it?!) has gone to Reading on loan.
📝⚽️ Transfer news: @TommyElph4 has joined @ReadingFC on loan for the remainder of the 2017/18 season
Good luck, Tommy#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/xixr8luRK0
Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 29, 2018
SIGNED! Reading Football Club are pleased to confirm that experienced defender Tommy Elphick has completed a loan move from Aston Villa which will see him represent the Royals until the end of the 2017-18 season! Welcome to Reading @TommyElph4 –https://t.co/zlTUEE1Fca pic.twitter.com/O7AhPwvNdW
Reading FC (@ReadingFC) January 29, 2018
Shame this never fully worked out for him – and us – he came in during a turbulent time. He was brought in as a leader whilst Roberto Di Matteo was in charge but with a couple of really bad mistakes, the central defender arguably helped end that era very quickly. His confidence then seemed shot. Of late, he`s featured a few times and hasn`t let us down at all. But at the age of 30, he obviously doesn`t want to be understudy to John Terry and James Chester who, if fit, are without doubt the first names on the teamsheet.
With Chris Samba now back fit and Axel Tuanzebe on loan from Manchester United, we have enough cover in central defense and so Tommy has paid the price.
Good luck to him, hope the loan goes well and he can get himself a permanent move.