PLAYER PROFILE

Leroy Lita

Position: Forward

Height: 5'7

Weight: 11st 12lbs

Date of Birth: 1984-12-28 Brazzaville, Republic of Congo

Leroy Lita

Leroy Lita became Reading's record signing when he moved to the Madejski from Bristol City in the summer of 2005 for £1,000,000.

He began his career with Chelsea, but found it hard at Stamford Bridge and moved to Ashton Gate, making his first team debut at the tender age of just 17.

He continued to put in appearances for City, but admitted to being sorely dissappointed after not even being named on the bench for the team's play-off final against Brighton in 2003/04.

When new boss Brian Tinnion came in, however, Lita was given fresh wind and banged in 29 goals in 2004/05, leading to many rumours over the summer that he was on his way out. Rumours which proved to be true whe he secured a move to Reading in July 2005.

He made an immediate impact on the team, quickly becoming an integral part of Steve Coppell's plans. Sadly, his season came to a premature end through injury, but he recovered in time for the 2006/07 season in which he was one of the Royals' most important players. He scored 14 goals in 27 starts all in all.