Paul Mukairu joins Reading on loan

• Reading FC have announced the acquisition of Nigerian winger Paul Mukairu, securing his services on a loan deal until the conclusion of the season.
• The youngster joins the English club from Danish top-tier FC Copenhagen.

This transfer marks a reunion for Mukairu and Reading's manager Rubén Sellés, who previously held the position of Copenhagen's assistant manager during the winger's initial foray into the Danish capital.

Mukairu's football journey started in Nigeria at the FC Hearts Academy before his trajectory led him to Turkish outfit Antalyaspor in 2019.

Mukairu's inaugural European season saw him participate in 31 matches, recording four goals, while his team secured a ninth-place finish in the Süper Lig.

After that, he spent a season on loan at Anderlecht, contributing 29 appearances and four goals to help the team finish in third place in the Jupiler Pro League.

The 2021-22 season saw Mukairu return to Antalyaspor, marking consistent appearances in the first half of the season. 

After that, he made a permanent move to Denmark, reuniting with Rubén Sellés. His time at FC Copenhagen bore fruit, as the club clinched the Superliga title in the 2021-22 campaign and later added the Danish Cup to their accomplishments.

Reading are in League One this season after they were relegated from the Championship last term.

Mukairu will team up with three players of Nigerian descent at Reading - Ovie Ejaria, Femi Azeez, and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan.