Harrison Reed says converting his loan stay at Craven Cottage into a permanent move was ‘a no-brainer’.
The former Southampton midfielder was finally announced as a permanent Fulham player on Sunday after the newly-promoted Premier League club concluded a £8m deal to make his successful loan switch permanent. The 25 year-old had struggled to make an impact on the first-team picture at St. Mary’s, having had three Championship loan spells in the last three seasons, and impressed in Fulham’s midfield as the Whites made an immediate return to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Talking to FulhamFCTV, Reed highlighted the role of manager Scott Parker, who signed a new three-year contract yesterday, in convincing him to commit his future to the Cottagers.
“He has been great for me since day one. He spoke to me and his knowledge of the position I play in is unbelievable and he has helped me massively. I had conversations with him during the season and in the off-season about coming back, and he made it a really easy decision for me. I’m really thankful for the faith he has shown in me and I am keen to repay that this season and over the duration of the contract.”
Reed, who made 27 appearances at the heart of the Fulham midfield, revealed that he had first considered the possibility of a permanent move to Craven Cottage midway through his loan spell.
“No doubt, I think halfway through the season it felt like somewhere I could call home and speaking to my family and people around me, this was always my first choice to come back. So when I found out that the club wanted to do it, it was a no-brainer for me and it was a matter of time to get it done. I said previously it was time for me to settle down now and call somewhere home and I feel like this is the perfect place for me.”
“The manager is a massive part of why I am here and the owner and Tony [Khan], with the ambition they have got, we are a Premier League club now and that’s where we want to stay.”
