Carrico heading to Reading

Carrico heading to Reading

Published Jan. 1, 2013 7:16 a.m. ET

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins insists defender Luke Shaw will not be leaving St Mary's in the January transfer window.

The 17-year-old left-back has been in impressive form for Saints, prompting speculation that he may follow Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott to Arsenal.

Manchester City and Chelsea have also reportedly shown interest in the left-back, although Adkins does not expect him to be going anywhere.

"I've not read any of the newspapers," the Saints boss said. "I think Luke gets linked every week with Arsenal, doesn't he?

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"Luke is under contract, he is playing football for us in the Premier League, which is important.

"We are not looking to let him go anywhere if anyone wants to come in for any of our players, by all means speak to the chairman. He does the deals and all the best with that."

Meanwhile, Adkins believes Oxlade-Chamberlain will be given a warm welcome from Saints fans when he returns to St Mary's with the Gunners this evening.

"I think he will get a fantastic reception," Adkins added. "He is one of the players that came through our system. I think everybody at Southampton is proud of what he is doing now.

"Everybody at the football club has had a role and a responsibility to play in Alex's development, but it is down to him as well. He is an exciting young talent."

Cudicini moved to White Hart Lane in 2009 but has found his opportunities limited due to the presence of Heurelho Gomes and the arrivals of Brad Friedel and Hugo Lloris.

Indeed, the Italian is perhaps now fourth choice in manager Andre Villas-Boas' plans so it is perhaps no surprise the north London club were looking to offload.

"We have reached agreement for the transfer of Carlo Cudicini to Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy," said a short statement on Tottenham's official website.

"Carlo joined us from Chelsea in January 2009 and went on to make a total of 37 appearances. We wish Carlo all the best for the future."

Cudicini began his professional career with AC Milan in 1992 and had a brief spell at Lazio before being plucked from obscurity in 2000 by Chelsea, who signed him from Italian minnows Castel di Sangro.

It was at Stamford Bridge where he excelled after ousting Mark Bosnich and Ed de Goey as Chelsea's regular goalkeeper.

He was part of the squads that claimed several domestic honours under Jose Mourinho although he found himself increasingly marginalised when the Blues signed Petr Cech in 2004.

After making 142 appearances for Chelsea in nine years, he made the switch to Tottenham but he once more struggled to claim a regular starting berth.

The 39-year-old could now link up with former Tottenham team-mate Robbie Keane in Los Angeles, who triumphed in the MLS Cup earlier this month with a 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo in the final in David Beckham's last match for the Galaxy.

The 24-year-old Sporting captain will be out of contract in June and, according to the Primeira Liga outfit, will join Reading next month in a 750,000 euros deal which includes a sell-on clause for a future transfer.

There is no official confirmation on the transfer from Reading yet but Carrico wrote a farewell letter on Sporting's website.

In it, he said: "It is with mixed emotions that I write this farewell message. I'm leaving the club of my heart, where I had the privilege of graduating (through the youth ranks) and serving for several years.

"I'm leaving because I understand that I am at a stage in my career when I have to take chances. Moreover, the proposed project is extremely exciting to me and know I can succeed."

Reading confirmed this evening they had struck a deal for the former Portugal Under-21 international to join the Royals on an initial 18-month contract, with the option of an extra year after that.

A statement on the club's website, www.readingfc.co.uk, read: "Reading football club are delighted to confirm we have agreed a deal to sign Sporting Lisbon's club captain, midfielder Daniel Carrico.

"The 24-year-old joins the Royals to begin the club's investment in this January window.

"He is a versatile player and can play in the centre of defence as well as in midfield. He has signed a contract until the summer of 2014, with the option of a further year."

Reading said Carrico, who has only made two appearances for Sporting this season because of his contractual situation, will join up with his new team-mates later this week.

Reading are second-bottom of the Premier League and five points adrift of safety. They face Spurs at White Hart Lane on Tuesday and host West Brom this weekend.

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