SONE Aluko is confident he can handle the pressure of being the club-record signing at Reading FC – after admitting he wasn’t even aware.

Royals paid a reported £7.5m to Fulham for Aluko’s services last week, though manager Jaap Stam insisted the real figure was ‘less than that’.

Nevertheless, Aluko’s move to Madejski Stadium on a four-year deal is undoubtedly a transfer record for the Royals.

But that is water off a duck’s back for the 28-year-old forward.

“To be honest I didn’t know that,” said Aluko when told of his record-signing status. “It doesn’t worry me at all to be a record signing.

“I joined Fulham as a free transfer from Hull but there was still pressure, it makes no difference to me.

“If you have that added pressure of being a record signing you’re going to struggle.

“Every time I step onto the pitch I will give my all regardless of whether the club paid loads of money for me or paid nothing.

“For me, the club brought me to Reading and that’s what I want to repay, that’s the most important thing for me.”

Aluko was being chased by host of clubs which forced Reading to cough up a club-record sum to win his signature.

But Aluko stressed: “It’s just market value. I joined Fulham on a free but that didn’t mean they didn’t like me any less. I had lots of options but the manager really wanted me.

“It’s flattering to know how much he wanted to bring me here. It’s not really the fee it’s the amount of effort Reading put in to get the deal done.

“I’m glad I’m here and I want to repay that.”

Aluko, who could make his Reading debut at home to Bristol City tomorrow (3pm ko), scored nine times in 50 games for Fulham during his one season at Craven Cottage, having gone there from Hull.

Bracknell News:

Sone Aluko will wear the number 14 shirt at Reading.

And the tricky Hounslow-born star, who can play in a variety of attacking roles, believes he can produce the goods again, this time in the blue and white hoops.

“Scoring goals, creating chances, making assists – as an attacking player that’s what I want to do,” he declared.

“I had a good season at Fulham, I was playing regularly. I think I got nine goals and 10 assists last year so if I can match that or better it this season I’ll be very happy.

“It would go a long way to repaying the faith the manager has shown in me.

“I can play on either wing or down the middle as a number 10. I’m flexible in a lot of positions which is one of the reasons the manager brought me here.

“It was the same at Fulham, though I mostly played right wing or just behind the striker, but I also played a few games as the focal point of the team.”

Aluko is now in contention for tomorrow’s clash at Madejski Stadium having recovered from a slight groin problem.

Reading have won their last seven meetings against the Robins whose last victory came at Ashton Gate in 2010.

City have lost their last seven meetings against the Royals – with a last victory coming for the Robins in 2010 in a 1-0 result at Ashton Gate.

He added: “If selected I will be ready and I’m looking forward to making my home debut. It’s an exciting time for me.

“Bristol City are a good side with good, attacking players, but every game in the Championship is tough in its own way, there is always some kind of challenge to deal with.

“I’ve done well against Bristol City before. I scored a good goal against them for Hull though Bristol did beat Fulham last season.

“You know what you will get from them, it’s whether you can handle it on the day and match that challenge.

“If I make my debut on Saturday it will be great, but I’m just looking forward to the season as a whole and pulling on that Reading jersey."