31-8-10: Ian Harte has completed a move to Championship side Reading on a free from Carlisle. The 33-year-old - who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday - makes the step up with Royals boss Brian McDermott shorn of defensive options. Harte becomes the Berkshire club's second defensive signing of the day, having added to their backline by signing Zurab Khizanishvili on a season long loan from Blackburn. The former Leeds defender admitted he was delighted to have agreed terms at the Madejski Stadium, telling the club's official website: "I'm chuffed to be here. "It's happened very quickly and I'm really looking forward to meeting the lads now that I've been given the opportunity to come to a fantastic club." Harte brings a wealth of experience to the Reading fold after enjoying a career that has encompassed the Premier League, La Liga, the UEFA Champions League and the World Cup. The left-back notched 18 goals from defence for Carlisle last season to become their top scorer and McDermott revealed the Cumbrians were reluctant to let him go. McDermott said: "He's got experience, a wonderful left foot and he's another important addition in what we are trying to do here. "Carlisle fought very hard to keep him, he was a main player for them and we're very pleased he has signed." Harte is relishing the challenge at his new club, who picked up their first league win of the season in Saturday's 2-1 defeat of Leicester. He added: "I'm 33, still hungry and every time I cross that white line I give 100 per cent. Hopefully I can put some good performances in. "It's my birthday today and it's the best present I could have wished for, I'm really looking forward to getting started."