CITY can confirm the loan signing of Reading striker Leroy Lita in a one-month deal, which covers the period up to and including the game against Burnley on Saturday, November 1.

Lita, 23, a product of Chelsea's youth system, bolsters the striking ranks at Carrow Road and has been allocated shirt number 44.

A former England Under-21 international with six goals in nine appearances at that level, Leroy started his professional career with Bristol City, scoring 38 goals in 100 appearances at Ashton Gate.

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After scoring 29 goals in all competitions in the 04-05 campaign, Steve Coppell signed the Democratic Republic of the Congo-born striker for Reading for £1m.

In his first season at the Madejski Stadium he scored 15 goals in all competitions, which helped Reading win the Championship with a record-breaking 106 points.

In Reading's first ever season in the English top flight, Lita topped their scoring charts bagging 14 goals in all competitions, with the club finishing an impressive 8th.

Leroy Lita in action against Charlton Athletic
Leroy Lita in action for Reading against Charlton Athletic

The 5ft 7in striker fell down The Royals' pecking order last season, which saw him move on loan to Championship side Charlton Athletic in March 2008 where he scored three times in eight league appearances.

City boss Glenn Roeder commented: "I can't tell you how pleased I am to be able to secure the loan signing of Leroy Lita from Reading. He has a fantastic goalscoring record in the Premier League and the Championship and he is someone that I believe will take the chances that we have been creating but not converting."

Leroy Lita is available for selection for Saturday's match at Carrow Road against Derby County, kick-off 3pm.

Reading manager Steve Coppell said: "With a lot of strikers here competing for two places, this loan move is the best thing for Leroy at the moment. Reserve team football is not regular or a good enough standard, and he wants to play every week so it's a great opportunity for him to do that at a very competitive level and hopefully score some goals."