United cash in as Hunt joins brother at Reading
Noel Hunt last night completed his £600,000 move to join brother Stephen at Reading, netting the Tannadice club a tidy profit for a player who cost them just £50,000.
Sportsmail reported yesterday that the English Championship side had made a third increased offer for the 25-year-old - and last night Reading manager Steve Coppell finally got his man.
Hunt, who scored 18 goals for United last season, passed a medical yesterday afternoon and is expected to join up with his new team-mates at their Swedish training camp this morning.
Hunt: On his way for around £600,000
United boss Craig Levein was reluctant to lose the former Dunfermline striker but, given the fact his contract was entering its final 12 months, the club have done some excellent business to get a significant transfer fee for a player who could have signed a pre-contract agreement elsewhere in January.
United are also believed to have negotiated several clauses which could provide further finance if Hunt becomes a regular in the Republic of Ireland squad and Reading return to the Premiership.
The arrivals of Francesco Sandaza and Warren Feeney in recent weeks have eased the burden and last night Levein wished Hunt well in his new venture.
He said: 'I wish Noel all the best and hope it goes really well for him. He has been a good servant to the club and had a fantastic season last year.
'The lad was desperate to get a chance to play at that level in England and was really keen to move, so we wouldn't stand in his way. It's a great opportunity for him and, when you consider that he would have been able to sign a pre-contract with someone else midway through the season, this is a good piece of business for the club.'
Levein watched Sandaza and Feeney score five goals between them in the last two friendly matches and is content he has the strength in depth to cope with the loss of Hunt. He may also move for Spaniard Pablo Carrascosa, 21, who has impressed on trial recently.
He said: 'We knew that we might have to replace Noel at some stage, so I'm delighted to have brought in two quality strikers already.'
A delighted Coppell said of his new signing: 'I have watched Noel's career with interest. He is flexible, he can play across the line up front and, like Stephen, he's a whole-hearted player.
'He has a terrific leap for a small guy and he is infectious. I hope that impetus will spark us up.'
United last night won 2-0 at Arbroath in the latest match in their pre-season schedule.
