Bobby Wilkinson is pleased to announce that former Hull City and Reading central Midfielder James Harper has joined the club today after gaining 45 second half minutes under his belt against Mortimer today.

Harper who was released by Hull City at the end of the season, signed for The Crusaders, but Wilkinson admits it may be tough to keep him.

"Either way, if I have him for the first month of the season or for half the season, we will benefit from his experience and is a great addition to the squad."

Born in Chelmsford, Essex, Harper attended the Anglo European School in Ingatestone, Essex. He started his career as a trainee with Arsenal, but as his first team opportunities were limited, he first went on loan to Cardiff City, before signing permanently for Reading for an undisclosed fee said to be "a substantial six-figure fee" at the end of February 2001.

Reading
After helping Reading to win the 2005–06 Football League Championship, and thus win promotion to the Premier League, he scored his first Premiership goals for Reading in a clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park, scoring twice despite losing 3–2.
At the start of July 2007, Harper signed an improved three–year contract to keep him at Reading until the end of the 2009–10 season.

Sheffield United
Harper joined Sheffield United in September 2009, on loan until the end of the season. With his contract set to expire at the same time, Reading manager Brendan Rodgers admitted it was likely that he had played his last game for Reading. Harper duly made his début for The Blades in an away victory at Derby County just under a fortnight later. After being a regular in the first team from that point his loan deal was made permanent during the January transfer window, with Harper signing until the end of the season. Harper was a regular starter for the remainder of the season notching up four goals in the process. At the end of the season however his contract was not extended further and he was released.

Hull City
Harper began a trial with Hull City in early July 2010 following the arrival of Nigel Pearson as manager of the club. On 12 July 2010 it was announced that Harper had signed for Hull on a two-year contract. He made his league debut on 23 October in the home match against Portsmouth when he came on, just after half time, to replace Nolberto Solano. Harper scored his first goal for Hull City, with a long range strike against former club Reading in a 1–1 draw at the KC Stadium on 28 December 2010.

On 24 January he moved to Wycombe Wanderers on a month long loan making four appearances.

International career

Harper rejected the chance to go to the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Ghana, saying: "I've never even been to Ghana." He would have qualified to play for Ghana because his mother was born there.

Harper has scored 30 senior career goals and made 383 professional appearances.