Date of Birth: 09 11 1980
Place of Birth: Chelmsford
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: England
James Harper Rumours and Transfers
04 07 2007
Reading have agreed new contracts with 4 members of their 1st team squad.
Forward Shane Long, 20, signed until 2011, 29 year old defender Ivar Ingimarsson and midfielder James Harper, 26, have extended their deals until 2010 whilst Simon Cox, 20, signed on for a further year.
Stephen Hunt, who has supposedly been attracting the interest of Premier League rivals Bolton, Sunderland and West Ham, could have agree a new contract by the end of this week.
'As Steve Coppell has said, one of our largest jobs in the summer is to secure the futures of our existing players, and these deals are an important part of that process which will continue in the coming weeks,' mentioned director of football Nick Hammond.
19 06 2007
Arsene Wenger was forced to continue his search for a director of football last night after being snubbed by Reading's Nicky Hammond.
Sportsmail can reveal that Hammond, who holds a similar position at the Madejski Stadium, was offered the position Friday however had a last minute change of heart and decided to stick with Reading.
Hammond started his career as a goalie at Arsenal and was recommended to manager Wenger by former vice-chairman David Dein when he left the club in April.
Dein, who still harbours expects of returning to Arsenal if American billionaire Stanley Kroenke succeeds in taking control of the club, formed a working relationship with Hammond when the pair negotiated the transfers of James Harper and Steven Sidwell to Reading. Dein views Hammond as someone with whom he would work.
But Hammond's decision to turn down the position has shocked Wenger whilst Reading chiefs, too, are surprised that he is staying.
Hammond will now turn his attention to unrest among some Madejski backroom staff over new contracts to fall in line with other Premier League clubs after their 1st successful season in the top flight.
