NELSON Oliveira finally secured a move to Reading FC tonight.

The Norwich City striker has signed a short-term deal until the end of the season and is almost certain to feature in the relegation six-pointer at Bolton in a week’s time.

He passed a medical at Reading today and becomes Jose Gomes’ third loan signing this month following Liverpool’s Ovie Ejaria and Chelsea’s Lewis Baker.

Royals were first linked with the 27-year-old Portuguese forward back in summer 2017 when Jaap Stam was boss.

And Gomes gave a small glimpse of his admiration for his compatriot after last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Derby County which left Reading two points from safety.

Gomes added: “Nélson is a striker who possesses that vital killer instinct.

“He is strong, powerful and technically good with the ball at his feet.

“He thrives on scoring goals so we are delighted he has chosen to join us for the final 18 games of our season.”

Gomes was desperate to add reinforcements up front after watching his side score just five times in their last eight Championship games.

Oliveira looked to be heading out of Carrow Road last summer after being told he was not part of Daniel Farke’s first-team plans.

A move never materialised and Farke stuck to his word, with Oliveira yet to make a senior appearance for Norwich this season.

However, the 6ft 1ins forward has bagged 19 goals in 65 league appearances for Canaries, of which 42 were starts.

Royals are thought to have beaten Championship rivals Middlesbrough and Swansea City to his signature, having enjoyed a brief loan spell with the Swans from Benfica in 2015.

Royals chief executive Nigel Howe said: “Nelson is an exciting striker whom we have admired from afar for a number of years now.

“He has international pedigree, experience of European football has played in the top tier in his native Portugal, Spain, France and the United Kingdom.

“Crucially, he has also flourished in front of goal at Championship level, so I look forward to seeing him represent the Royals for the remainder of the campaign.”

Oliveira will wear the shirt number 22 and will meet his new teammates at Reading’s Hogwood Park training ground tomorrow.

He joined Benfica as a teenager but made only 12 senior appearances after further loan spells with Rio Ave, Pacos Ferreira, Deportivo La Caruna, Rennes and Nottingham Forest for whom he scored twice in a 3-1 home win over Royals in November 2015.

He was eventually snapped up by Norwich City for £5m in summer 2016 on a four-year deal.

Oliveira has scored twice in 17 international appearances for Portugal.