Chelsea defender Nathan Ake joins Reading on loan

Chelsea defender Nathan Ake has joined Championship side Reading on loan until 22 April with an option to extend depending on the players performances.

"Nathan Ake has today joined Reading on loan until 22 April," a statement read on Chelsea official site.

The Netherlands U21 international, who joined Chelsea in 2011, has made 11 first-team appearances, including games in the Premier League, Champions League and the FA Cup. He even picked up a medal after being named on the bench for the Blues' Capital One Cup win over Tottenham earlier in the year.

Jose Mourinho is a big admirer of the defender and has made it clear that Ake will join the first-team on a permanent basis from next season. The versatile defender, who made his Premier League debut, aged 17, can play as a defensive midfielder, at left-back or as a centre-back if needed.

The 20-year-old defender who is contracted to the club until the summer of 2018 will spend the next one month with the Royals, and the club have the option of extending his stay at the Madjeski Stadium depending on his performances with the club.

Reading manager Steve Clarke, who was previously an assistant manager at Chelsea during Mourinho's first spell at Stamford Bridge, is delighted to have signed the youngster from his former employers.

"I'm delighted to add a player of Nathan's quality to our first team squad at this important time of the season," Clarke said, as quoted on Reading's official site.

"He has been a fixture in Chelsea's first team squad this season and we are grateful that Chelsea have allowed him to join us here at Reading to get some competitive minutes on the pitch."

"He is a very talented player who I have been aware of for some time and I look forward to working with Nathan in the coming weeks," the Reading manager added.