IN PROFILE
Dave Kitson
Born: 21st January 1980 (age 28)
Place of Birth: Hitchin, Hertfordshire
Nationality: English
Height: 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)

Kitson began his career with non-league side Arlesey Town before joining Cambridge United in 2001.

He made his debut for The U's against the Potters, coming on as a substitute in a 3-2 defeat of City here at the Britannia Stadium.

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His first goal for the club came on the final day of the season where he opened the scoring in Cambridge's 1-1 draw at Swansea City.

The following season he netted ten goals but it was the 2002/03 campaign in which he attracted the attention of bigger clubs.

A goal against Reading in the League Cup in September 2002 would alert Steve Coppell of his ability in front of goal and after netting 25 goals, including four braces, that season he made a £150,000 move to the Berkshire club the following Boxing Day.

Five more goals followed in the blue and white hoops before the end of the season, but it was Reading's 2004/05 campaign where Kitson began to shine.

The 6ft 3in striker's total was 19 for the season in which included hat-tricks against Gillingham and West Ham United and the winner in a 1-0 victory over the Potters at the Madejski in November 2004.

The following campaign he improved his tally to 22 as Reading blitzed the Coca-Cola Championship with a record amount of points, with a strike from the penalty spot in a 1-0 victory over Stoke being scored along the way.

Joy and agony were then thrown Kitson's way in Reading's opening Premier League game when he was injured by former Potter Chris Riggott after scoring the club's first goal of the game.

He returned to action in January and notched another three goals as the Royals easily secured their Premier League status in their debut season.

Last season the Hitchin-born striker was sent off in the opening Barclays Premier League fixture at Manchester United but his goalscoring form didn't suffer as Kitson hit double figures despite Reading suffering relegation back to the Coca-Cola Championship.