New Reading signing Hope Akpan is relishing the chance to make the step up to the Premier League and help the club stave off relegation.
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Akpan, 21, signed for the Royals from League One side Crawley earlier this week after impressing in his 60 appearances for the West Sussex club.
The Everton youth product joins a Reading side in the middle of a relegation battle, finding themselves five points adrift of 17th-placed Southampton, yet Akpom still cannot wait to get stuck in.
"It was my goal from when I was a kid to play in the Premier League, even when I dropped down the divisions," he told BBC Radio Berkshire.
"I didn't think it would come around as quick, but I'm definitely ready."
He added: "It's going to motivate me [the relegation battle] and I'm ready for the challenge and to fight for the cause."
Akpom's final display for Crawley was in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Reading last Saturday - a performance that helped convince Royals boss Brian McDermott to sign the player.
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