Cesare Casadei joins Reading on loan from Chelsea

Reading have completed the signing of Chelsea youngster Cesare Casadei on loan for the rest of the 2022/23 campaign.

Casadei becomes Reading’s first signing of the winter transfer window. The midfielder will join up with Paul Ince’s side immediately.

He joined Chelsea this summer on a six-year contract from Inter Milan under the direction of Cobham boss Neil Bath.

The Blues signed the Italian midfielder for around €20 million, including bonuses as part of Chelsea’s unhinged spending under their new owners.

However, the 20-year-old went straight into Chelsea’s under-21 side instead of the first team, where he has impressed. He has scored five goals in 13 appearances in Premier League 2 and the Papa John’s Trophy.

Casadei is a box-to-box midfielder who knows how to arrive late in the opposition box to finish chances. He also possesses a terrific long-range shot. 

He is a youth international with Italy and made his under-21 debut against Germany in November. Italy head coach Roberto Mancini included him in a training camp with the senior side the following month.

“Our midfield resources have been stretched all season and Casadei will bring us another option in the middle of the park,” said Ince via the club’s website.

“He is comfortable on the ball, powerful in possession and he looks like an intelligent player with the vision to read the game well. I am looking forward to working with Cesare on the training pitch this week.”

Ince had made it clear since the beginning of the transfer window that he wanted two midfielders. With a day to the end of the transfer window, the club has brought one in through the door. It is unclear if they’ll add another before Tuesday’s deadline.

Reading are 16th in the Championship table, 11 points off the bottom. Casadei will hope to help them avoid dropping into the danger zone.

Casadei will likely be ready for Watford’s visit to the Select Car Leasing Stadium on February 4.