Diamonds successful in Osano swoop

Rushden and Diamonds have beaten off stiff competition to sign Curtis Osano from Championship side Reading.

The Kenyan-born player agreed a two-year deal with the Nene Park outfit on Thursday night following weeks of on-going negotiations.

And while Diamonds were always leading the line to sign the 21-year-old right-back, who played for the club while on-loan last season, chairman Keith Cousins is glad to have wrapped up the "first-class" deal.

Cousins told the Evening Telegraph: "He (Osano) knew what he was getting here with the calibre of players who we've brought in this summer.

"We are evenly balanced at the moment on and off the pitch. Curtis wants to grow with the club and be part of our potential.

"He was one of our better and more consistent players last year which was remarkable given his age. That showed his quality.

"This deal is testament to the manager and the club by proving how serious we all are in trying to take everything forward."