PLAYER PROFILE

James Harper

Position: Midfield

Height: 5'10

Weight: 11st 2lbs

Date of Birth: 1980-11-09 Chelmsford, England

James Harper

Midfield dynamo James Harper signed for Reading in 2001 from Arsenal for the fee of £400,000.

He joined the Gunners as a youngster and stayed for a little under ten years. He rarely broke into Arsene Wenger's first team but earned crucial experience training with the Frenchman's star-studded squad.

He enjoyed a short loan at Cardiff in December 2000 and joined Reading in early 2001, scoring on his home debut against Rotherham.

That season ended with a disappointing Play-Off final defeat against Walsall and the following season hardly improved as he struggled to find a permanent place in the starting line-up

However, in the 2002/03 season, he made his mark and became - and remains - an integral fixture in the team, even when Steve Coppell replaced Alan Pardew.

On the international front, he was offered the opportunity to play for Ghana in the 2006 World Cup, but rejected it, saying: "I've never even been to Ghana. I don't know the colour of their flag and it's not my country. I wouldn't feel right putting on the shirt."

He is a skilful and intelligent player and proved vital in the Royals' first Premier League campaign as he played 40 games and scored three goals.