London, Jul 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has joined English Premier League side Reading after receiving a British work permit, the club said.

Pogrebnyak, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham, Friday signed a four-year contract after his deal with German side Stuttgart expired, allowing him to move on a free transfer.

"He is a top guy, his work ethic is excellent and I'm sure he will be very important to our group in the coming years," Reading coach Brian McDermott said on the team website.

The forward, 28, is still resting after playing for Russia at Euro 2012, Reading said.

He made an instant impact at Fulham with five goals in his first three games but managed only one more goal after that as he notched up a total of 12 appearances for the London team.

Pogrebnyak has scored eight times in 33 appearances for Russia, and made a fleeting appearance as a substitute in the shock 0-1 defeat to Greece at Euro 2012.

Before joining Stuttgart, he won the Russian Premier League and UEFA Cup with Zenit St. Petersburg while playing alongside Andrei Arshavin, now at Arsenal.