It's a hat-trick at Shinfield Park for footballer Kalifa Cissé

When Reading Football Club midfielder Kalifa Cissé (24) first saw Shinfield Park, a development in Reading by Barratt Homes, he lost no time in purchasing a four-bedroom townhouse at the scheme; within three months he had moved into his new home with his girlfriend Julie Garcin (24).

Shinfield Park offers that all-important property hat-trick: quality homes, a beautiful setting and a great location. Anyone hoping to secure an address here will need to act fast though, as just five townhouses remain for sale in the final phase.

Although Shinfield Park is located around four miles from Reading town centre, its 38-acre parkland grounds provide a wonderfully rural place to live, a major attraction for Kalifa who says: "I had been renting a two-bedroom apartment in Reading's town centre, however when I saw Shinfield Park I loved the fact it was quiet and peaceful. It is almost like living in the countryside but with all the benefits of the town just a few miles away. Everything is convenient; we like to shop in Reading and it's easy to jump on the motorway to travel to London. For Julie it's ideal, as she is currently at Reading University studying nutrition."

Barratt helped Kalifa out with the purchase of his townhouse by paying the legal fees and Stamp Duty. The couple moved in during the summer and are enjoying the social scene at Shinfield Park, Kalifa adds: "Most people have moved in now and there's a really good atmosphere; we've got great neighbours. The development looks good and the gardens are really nice. It's a great place to live and now we have a house, with more spare rooms, we can enjoy having family and friends to stay. I would definitely encourage people to buy here; it's good value for money and the prices have come down recently, in line with the rest of the property market at the moment."

For Kalifa, who signed a three-year deal with Reading Football Club in the summer of 2007, the location couldn't be better, with the Madejski Stadium less than a 10-minute drive away.

The Oracle shopping centre and an Asda supermarket are both within easy reach. For families, there's a good choice of schools and colleges, including the private Crosfields School near the development. Reading is within half an hour's drive of London, Maidenhead, Oxford and Slough. Bath and Swindon to the west, and Basingstoke and Southampton to the south, are also within commuting distance.

Prices for the last five remaining townhouses in The Crescent at Shinfield Park are from £479,995 for a four bedroom townhouse.

For more information, log on to Barratthomes.co.uk.