Noel Hunt has become the latest Irish striker to join Reading and the second member of his family at the Berkshire club.

The 26-year-old is brother to Reading winger Stephen, and was signed today from Socttish Premier League team Dundee United in a deal thought to be worth around £600,000.

The Waterford man joined Dunfermline from Shamorck Rovers in 2003 and transferred to the Terrors in 2006. He was the club's top scorer last season with 18 goals.

Reading boss Steve Coppell said he had tracked the player for some time and after Dave Kitson joined Premier League new boys Stoke City a place for a fourth striker at the club had opened up.

Coppell told the Reading's official website: "He's a player we've known about for quite a while, obviously with the family connection ... Stephen Hunt used to talked about him being a really good player and I've sort of watched his career with interest [and] we had him watched a couple of times last season."

Hunt will compete with fellow Irishmen Kevin Doyle and Shane Long for a berth up front as the Royals attempt to bounce straight back up into the Premier League after last season's relegation disappointment.