Derby County's new signing Alex Pearce has said it was the right time to leave Reading.

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Pearce felt it was the right time to leave Reading

The centre back is a Reading academy product and had made over 200 appearances for the Royals, joining when he was just 12-years-old, and ending a 14 year stay at the club by signing for Derby this week.

Pearce has had many highs and lows at Reading, from winning player of the season in their promotion campaign in 2011/2012, to immediate relegation back to the Championship.

His contract was up at the end of this year, and despite being offered a new deal at the club, he snubbed Steve Clarke and signed for Paul Clement's Derby on a three year contract, along with Darren Bent.

The Republic of Ireland international told Get Reading: "It's obviously sad for me to be leaving a club that I have been with for so long.

"I came to Reading when I was just 12 years old, a long, long time ago. I'm 26 now, so this club has been more than half my life!

"So moving away was a massive thing, but I feel it’s the right time for a new challenge now.

"I would like to thank the fans, first and foremost, for being so good to me.

"I will never forget them making me Player of the Season at the end of the season we went up, personally that was a big thing for me.

"And I also need to thank each and every player I played with, and each and every manager and coach for helping me develop into the player I am."

Reading had an extremely poor season in the Championship last season, after finishing just outside the play-offs the year before.

Despite reaching an FA Cup semi final, they finished 19th, accumulating 50 points.

Royals fans... Are you gutted to see Alex Pearce leave the club? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below!