Shaun Goater's transfer to Reading yesterday will deal a "psychological blow" to every club in the English First Division, according to his new boss.

Alan Pardew was speaking at a press conference last night where former Manchester City striker Goater was unveiled.

The 33-year-old Bermudian has left Kevin Keegan's Premiership side in a three-year-deal estimated to have cost the Berkshire club ?600,000.

Goater, who passed what his agent Mark Georgevic described as an exhaustive medical earlier in the day, was paraded in front of the Royals' fans at the Madejski Stadium prior to the friendly with Southampton.

Pardew has been after his man for some time and was clearly delighted to have got him to sign on the dotted line.

"This is a fantastic day for Reading FC," he said. "Shaun Goater's credentials speak for themselves.

"This is a psychological blow to every other club in the First Division . . .

"I know the fans are going to take to him - I think it's very important for a football club to have a status figure, cult hero, call it what you like, and I think Shaun can fill that role.

"Our search for a striker has not just been about the player's ability, it's been about their personality and character and Shaun was always going to fit into that (mould) because he's a gentleman and a perfect pro."

Goater, who scored 103 goals in 212 appearances in a five-year stint at Manchester City, also received glowing praise from Reading chairman John Madejski.

"I believe this is the biggest signing in Reading Football Club's history - it sends out a message to the rest of the football world that we are serious and that we mean business," he said. "Shaun has scored more than 200 goals in senior football and now I hope his goals help take us into the Premiership."

Goater left agent Georgevic to do his talking for him yesterday, the player himself tied up with the formalities of the move.

"It was an extremely difficult decision for him," said Georgevic, revealing there were a number of other deals on the table that Goater considered.

"There were several clubs that were interested that we have been talking to over the last two weeks. But Reading have put together a deal, and not just on the contractual front.

"They are a very ambitious club and I think they are a family-friendly club. Alan Pardew is highly-rated within the game. I think they are going to play a brand of football that will suit Shaun and I think he's going to be given a role to help bring on some of the younger players within the team."

Goater's options are rumoured to have included one Premiership side. Georgevic would not confirm this but did say several First Division sides had courted his client's services and had made "very impressive" offers.

"He has weighed it all up and has decided that Reading is the place to be for his future," Georgevic said. "He was very impressed by their plans."

Reading's three-year offer, combined with the previously mentioned factors, may have helped to swing the deal their way.

"Shaun has appreciated the extent of their ambition and their desire to secure his services by offering him a three-year deal," Georgevic said. "That certainly gives him security and the chance to bed down in Reading. He has had reasonable longevity at all his clubs, he has not been one that has upped and gone after a season."

The agent said yesterday was one of mixed emotions for Goater, the joy and anticipation of a new beginning, tinged with the sadness of leaving a club he so obviously loved.

"He is very excited and is looking forward to this new challenge," he said. "He thinks that Reading are going places. He is looking to help them achieve their Premiership ambition.

"But it is a sad day for him in a way, too. He has enjoyed a fantastic rapport with the supporters and he has loved it at Manchester City. Even when they went down (shortly after he signed in 1998) he appreciated what a fantastic club they were.

"I said to him that I genuinely believed that things would turn round at City. He has got them into the Premiership and has had a fantastic career there.

"He is regarded as a legend and it's thoroughly, thoroughly deserved.

"I know he has said his goodbyes to the chairman, Kevin Keegan and all the staff and he appreciates what everyone has done for him in enabling him to appear on a big stage and I think he has repaid their faith.

"He signed for ?400,000 from Bristol City - I think Gary Owen (former City star) said it was the best pound for pound signing Manchester City had ever made."