Anton Ferdinand makes return to England with Reading

Championship side Reading have announced the signing of centre-back Anton Ferdinand on a two-year contract.

The 29-year-old, formerly of West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers and Sunderland, returns to England after a year playing in Turkey with Antalyaspor, where he said he was hampered by off-field issues.

"I've been away from English football for a year and had some tough times. Turkey is a fantastic place to go and play football, but certain things off the field didn't allow me to enjoy my football," he told the Royals' website.

"That chapter is closed now, and I've opened a new chapter at Reading and I'm looking forward to it.

"I've got things to prove, to myself and everyone. A lot of people have written me off and doubted me because I've been away for a year, but I'm here to prove to people that I can offer a lot to English football. I want to offer what I can to Reading, and hopefully that means promotion."

Reading drew their first game of the new Championship season at Wigan Athletic on Saturday.