Alex Pearce was one of four players signed on loan by Norwich over the last two days of the January 2008 transfer window.

A 19 year old centre-half from Reading, Pearce came highly recommended. Glenn Roeder said he was delighted that Reading boss Steve Coppell had agreed to release him. He said: “I like taking players from Steve Coppell because he only has a certain type of player. They must be well motivated. I've done my homework and I am told both boys fit the bill in terms of attitude and desire. Steve believes Pearce is a Premiership quality defender"

Pearce has won Scotland youth international caps and also played 15 games on loan at Northampton, and 11 at Bournemouth. He made his senior Reading debut as a substitute in the 2006/7 season's 3-2 FA Cup win over Burnley, given the job of marking ex-Canary Ade Akinbiyi. His full debut came in the FA Cup fourth round replay against Spurs on 15 January 2008 at the Madejski Stadium

Pearce is on loan with Norwich until the end of the 2007/8 season. He made his debut in the 1-0 win over Barnsley on 23rd February 2008. Alex made a total of 11 appearances for Norwich

Alex was loaned to Southampton at the end of October 2008. He scored on his Saints' debut in a 3-2 away win at Preston but gave away a penalty on his home debut against Bristol City on 8th November 2008

On 12th February 2010, Pearce signed a new long term contract at Reading until the summer of 2013.

Pearce was virtually ever-present, playing 47 times, in 2012/13 as Reading won the Championship and a return to the Premier League.

He made his full debut for the Republic of Ireland in September 2012, playing against Oman and scoring in the 4-1 win.

Pearce and Reading returned to the Championship on 28th April 2013 after a goalless draw with QPR, who were also relegated.

Pearce was released by Reading in June 2013 with the player running down his contract to secure a free transfer. He had made 145 appearances for the Royals, scoring 15 goals. He was heavily linked with moves to Newcastle and Liverpool.

In May 2015, Alex left Reading to become Paul Clement's joint-first signing, along with Darren Bent, for Derby. He signed a three year contract/ He had made 194 league appearances for Reading.

Having made just two appearances for Derby, Pearce was loaned to Bristol City on 19th January 2016 until the end of the 2015/16 season. "Alex will offer us experience - he knows this division inside out," said the Robins' interim manager John Pemberton."When I spoke to Alex, it's clear how desperate he is to get into the Ireland team for the Euros - if he does that then it means he will have played well for us."

On 4th January 2019, Pearce joined Millwall on loan until the end of the season, having made just one appearance for Frank Lampard's Derby during the first half of 2018/19. He then signed permanently and made 80 appearances for the Lions, capataining the side. He was released on 20th May 2022. He was quickly linked with a return to Reading but instead moved across London to AFC Wimbledon signing on 7th June 2022.

He was released by Wimbledon on 28th April 2024 having played 39 games, scoring once.

He joined Bracknell Town and was briefly their caretaker manager before signing for Leatherhead of the Isthmian League on 10th October 2024.