Veteran Roberts leaves Rovers as Bolton get young Bull Ream

Jason Roberts drops down to the Championship after five years at Blackburn (Getty Images)

Jason Roberts has left Blackburn for the Championship side Reading on an 18-month contract for an undisclosed fee. The striker, 34, has dropped down the Rovers pecking order under Steve Kean this season, having played only 12 games amid a contract dispute. He had recently aired his frustration at the lack of first-team football.

Roberts said on Twitter: "I have enjoyed every moment of my time at the club. I have so many friends at the club that I will always want the best for BRFC. I wish the fans, staff and players success now and forever!"

Meanwhile, the Swiss club Young Boys have confirmed that their right-back Scott Sutter is to open contract talks with Blackburn. Sutter, 25, has left the Berne club's winter training camp in Spain to discuss the move, and Young Boys said that it would not block Sutter from fulfilling his dream to play in the Premier League.

Bolton have completed the £2.5m signing of the New York Red Bulls defender Tim Ream. The 24-year-old seven-cap US international trained with both Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion last month in the Major League Soccer off-season.

Ream will replace Gary Cahill, who moved to Chelsea earlier this month, in the heart of the Bolton defence. "Tim was trailed by a couple of clubs, including West Brom and Arsenal, so it's great that he sees his future here," said Bolton's manager Owen Coyle. "He is young, has a tremendous attitude and a winning mentality. I know he will fit in well with the rest of the squad."

Ream said: "I knew there was interest in me when I came over last year and trained for a couple of weeks, then after Christmas things started to ramp up."

Queen's Park Rangers have completed the signing of Nedum Onuoha from Manchester City on a four-and-a- half-year contract. The defender, who played under QPR manager Mark Hughes when the Welshman was in charge at City, moves to Loftus Road for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Sunderland but has found chances limited at City. "Nedum is a player I know well," Hughes said. "He is a very good addition to the squad."