SEAN Morrison will become a Reading player this weekend in a deal the Advertiser believes to be worth in excess of £250,000.

The 20-year-old will move to the Madejski Stadium after the Championship side triggered what is understood to be a quarter-of-a-million-pound release clause in the defender’s contract at Town.

And the Advertiser believes Morrison may well have played his last game for the Robins.

Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton said Swindon will be disappointed to let go of the towering centre-back, suggesting the former Plymouth trainee could have been better served seeing out the season before making any switch.

“I expect he (Morrison) will become a Reading player after the weekend,” he said.

“I’m very sorry to lose him and I think it is not necessarily the right move at this time.

“He may have been better off here until the end of the season.

“(Whether he’s played his last game for Swindon) is a matter between manager and player.”

Town could have done very little to prevent Morrison moving on, after the Royals came up with an offer worth more than the clause implemented in the youngster’s deal when it was renewed last season.

And Fitton explained the decision to place the condition within his terms was down to the defender’s initial unwillingness to extend his stay in Wiltshire.

“Sean has a release clause in his contract. He is the only member of the squad who has one, and I am not in favour of them,” he said. “I wouldn’t enter into one again.

“The release clause was put in because he didn’t want to sign a new contract and he signed his current contract on the basis that it was there.”

Fitton was full of praise for the way in which Reading have conducted themselves during 10 days of extended negotiations, during which time the Advertiser believes the Berkshire club submitted two separate offers for Morrison.

Although the official fee commanded by the starlet remains undisclosed, it is understood Town could benefit from the deal both in cash and player form.

Promotion-chasing Reading are poised to lend their near neighbours members of their first-team squad as part of the agreement, although the Swindon chairman would not confirm such suggestions.

“We have a good relationship with Reading and they have been very good in making the deal right for both parties,” he said. “It might (include loan players).”

  • CALLUM Kennedy has signed a 12-month extension to his current deal, taking him through to the end of next season.