Fae signs on at Reading

The £2.5 million fee, which could rise depending on appearances, represents the largest ever paid for a player by the Royals.

The 23-year-old, who was born in Nantes, also retained an option to sign for a fourth year at the Madejski Stadium.

Fae made more than 100 appearances for Nantes and played in France's Youth World Championship winning side in 2001 before switching allegiances to the Ivory Coast.

He was past of the Elephants' 2006 World Cup squad alongside Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure and Didier Zokora.