John joined from Stoke City for £250,000 in January 2006, signing a deal that keeps him at Reading until the summer of 2008.

Came through the ranks at Arsenal, and made appearances in the League cup in 2001/2, while he was also loaned out to Colchester United for six games.

He spent the entire 2002/3 season on loan at Belgian side KSK Beveren, and early in the 2003/4 season he spent a two-month loan at Stoke before a permanent move on a nominal fee. He made more than 70 appearances for the Potters, scoring two goals.

His contract at the Britannia was due to expire in the summer of 2006, and he decided to look for pastures new rather than agreeing a new deal.

Found it tough to force his way into the promotion-chasing side towards the end of last season, playing twice in the FA Cup and once in the Championship, scoring on his League debut at home to his former club.

His only appearances in 2006/7 were in the Carling Cup, and an Achilles injury plagued him for some months.

Involved in the Royals early matches of the 2007/08 season, filling in during injury problems at right midfield, scoring a goal in the 4-2 Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool in October 2007.