Rams look favourites to pick up Oster on a free

Last updated : 15 July 2008 By Rams Mad Editor
John Oster
John Oster training with the Rams
It is looking likely that John Oster will be joining the Rams next season. Oster (29) was released by Reading after their final match as a Premier league side, coincidentally against Derby County.

Oster, a Welsh International has a bad boy reputation after several incidents whilst playing for his seven clubs. One of the most serious was the ending of Mark Maley's career when Oster accidentally shot him in the eye with an air rifle.

Oster has moved around in his 14 year career, starting at Grimsby and then a big money move to Everton (£1.5m). He then moved on to Sunderland in another £1m+ transfer. It while at Sunderland that the air rifle incident took place. He was soon heading for a four year period of loans to Barnsley, Grimsby and Leeds before eventually signing a contract with Burnley. This was after being returned to Sunderland again in digrace after two seperate incidents which included Oster being arrested in Durham and an incident at the Leeds Christmas party.

From Burnley Oster signed for Reading in August 2005 and remained with the club until the end of last season. He is currently training with Paul Jewell's new look Rams squad. No official statement has been made about Oster or if Derby have any interest in him but it looks as though he could be yet another free signing...