Reading have agreed to sign midfielder Tom Ince on a three-year deal upon the expiry of his contract with fellow Championship club Stoke City.

Ince, 30, spent the second half of the 2021-22 season on loan with the Royals and scored twice in 15 appearances as they secured survival by four points.

His father, ex-England midfielder Paul, took over as Reading boss a month after Ince arrived in Berkshire.

"His talent has always spoken for itself," boss Paul told the club site.

"Thomas is my son. But, importantly, he is a Reading player the moment he arrives at the training ground every morning.

"He still wants to improve, he still wants to succeed and he proved his worth here at Reading in the latter stages of last season."

Former Liverpool trainee Ince has made 425 senior appearances and scored 94 goals, mostly in the Championship, for clubs including Blackpool, Crystal Palace, Hull, Derby although he did spend a full season in the Premier League with Huddersfield Town.

He has spent four seasons at Stoke but has been loaned out in each of the past two campaigns, to Luton in 2020-21 and Reading last term.

Coventry have signed midfielder Kasey Palmer from Championship rivals Bristol City for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old has agreed a three-year contract with the Sky Blues, who finished 12th last season.

Palmer began his career at Chelsea and joined Bristol City in 2019, initially on loan, following temporary spells with Huddersfield, Derby and Blackburn.

"He is a player with great technical and creative ability," Coventry boss Mark Robins told the club website.

"Kasey will add further quality to our squad, and brings much experience at this level too."

Palmer, who only made eight appearances for Bristol City in 2021-22, the last in January, is Coventry's first summer signing.

He played for England up to under-21 level, but won a full international cap for Jamaica against the USA last year.

"Since the first time I spoke with the manager and spoke with my old coach Adi (Viveash), I've been keen to get it done and get here," Palmer said.

"I pretty much knew from doing my research and after speaking to him, he confirmed the style of play and how much I would be involved and be a part of his plans.

"The manager wants to play good football, play out from the back and play through the thirds with the number 10s getting in the pockets."

Watford striker Cucho Hernandez has signed for US Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew for a club record fee.

The 23-year-old Colombian, who joined the Hornets five years ago, has agreed a contract until 2025.

He played 25 Premier League games last season, scoring five goals, as Watford were relegated to the Championship.

Watford head of recruitment Cristiano Giaretta said new head coach Rob Edwards wanted more homegrown players to "ensure togetherness".

"In the EFL, you can name no more than 11 non-homegrown players on your matchday team sheet, so this is an important part of our thinking when it comes to player trading during this summer window," said Giaretta.

"Rob was clear he wanted a different type of player who will occupy this non-homegrown place in the forward line."

Hernandez spent the first four years of his time with Watford on loan in Spain but made a goalscoring Premier League debut last August as they beat Aston Villa 3-2.

The exact amount paid by Columbus, who are currently 11th in the MLS Eastern Conference, has not been disclosed.

"Despite being just 23 years of age, he has shown a nose for goal against top level European opposition, and we firmly believe that he will flourish in our league," said head coach Caleb Porter.

"This investment is a testament to the belief our ownership group has in this club and our commitment to championship ambitions year in and year out.

"We believe he can be that consistent goal scorer we've been looking for

Middlesbrough have signed Northampton Town goalkeeper Liam Roberts on a two-year contract.

The 27-year-old started every league game for the League Two side in 2021-22 but turned down a new deal.

Cobblers boss Jon Brady told the club website: "Liam was good for us and we were good for Liam."

Meanwhile, midfielder Jonny Howson has signed a new contract to keep him with the Championship club for a further 12 months.

The 34-year-old joined Boro in 2017 and has gone on to make 230 appearances on Teesside.

"We're delighted we've managed to come to an agreement with Jonny," boss Chris Wilder told the club website.

"He was coming out of contract and it's a key signing for us."

Swindon Town defender Mathieu Baudry has signed a new one-year contract.

The 34-year-old Frenchman played 17 times last season as the Robins reached the League Two play-off semi-finals.

Baudry was out of contract this summer, three years after first moving to the County Ground from Milton Keynes Dons.

His new deal is the first announced since former assistant manager Scott Lindsey was promoted to head coach at the club after predecessor Ben Garner's move to Charlton Athletic.

"Scott stepping up as head coach made my decision a lot easier," Baudry told the club website.

"I've loved working with him during my time here and many won't realise just how much of an important role he played in us reaching the play-offs last season.

"Having that continuity with Scott in charge is vital. I'm really excited to go again and want to do things right, and hope I can help take this club back to where it belongs."

Defender Travis Johnson has become Kevin Betsy's first signing as Crawley Town manager.

The 21-year-old had been released by Crewe Alexandra after the expiry of his contract at the end of the season.

Johnson made 40 appearances for Crewe after graduating from the club's academy.

"I am buzzing to get the deal over the line. Ever since I heard about the interest, I have not been able to stop thinking about it," he said.

He played 20 times in League One as the Railwaymen finished bottom of the table last season.

Crawley finished 12th in League Two, with ex-manager John Yems leaving in May in the wake of racism and discriminatory conduct allegations.

Former Arsenal Under-23s boss Betsy was named manager on a two-year contract on 6 June.

"I spoke to the manager and saw the ambition that he has for the club and what he is trying to put in place," Johnson added.

"The general feel of all the staff members that I have met is good, and everyone seems to be working in sync and looking to achieve the same thing."

Bristol Rovers have signed Fleetwood midfielder and captain Jordan Rossiter.

The 25-year-old former Liverpool player - who was still under contract at Fleetwood - has agreed a two-year deal and moves for an undisclosed fee.

He played 46 times and scored one goal during a two-year spell at Fleetwood, where he played under current Rovers manager Joey Barton, after joining following four years at Rangers.

"Jordan is a leader both on and off the pitch," Barton told the club website.

"His dynamic and combative style, combined with his excellent football ability, will strengthen us in our midfield area.

"I'm looking forward to working with Jordan again; he will be a superb addition to our group."

Charlton Athletic have signed centre-back Eoghan O'Connell on a free transfer after he rejected a new contract at League Two side Rochdale.

The 26-year-old has signed a three-year deal and is Ben Garner's first signing since taking over as manager.

The Irishman was Dale's supporter's and player's Player of the Year last season having played 131 games in three years.

The ex-Republic of Ireland youth player previously spent two years at Bury having begun his career at Celtic.

"Eoghan's a player that I've admired for a long time and it was nice that when I came in he also featured high on the club's recruitment list," Garner told the Charlton website.

"In possession he's fantastic, he's very intelligent, comfortable receiving the ball, very brave, which is a big quality, and he has a fantastic range of pass. In addition to that, he's also a great defender."

Northampton Town have cancelled the contract of striker Nicke Kabamba.

The 29-year-old joined the Cobblers from Scottish club Kilmarnock in the summer of 2021 on a two-year deal.

He played 27 games for the club, but only nine of them were starts, and his only goal came against Brighton Under-21s in the Papa Johns Trophy.

Kabamba spent the second half of last season on loan with National League side Woking, scoring three goals in 21 appearances.

Academy......

Meanwhile, West Brom have been placed into special measures, meaning they will have to meet a number of action points regarding their Academy or else lose their Category One status. A further inspection by PGAAC will take place during the 2022/23 season.

The Baggies have been a Category One club since the inception of EPPP in 2012. In fact for many years they were regarded as a flagship Academy.

DD #No1