Rafael agrees contract cancellation to return to Brazil

Goalkeeper Rafael Cabral has returned to his native Brazil following the termination of his contract by mutual consent.

The 31-year-old arrived in Reading in the summer of 2019 and made 98 appearances between the posts for the Royals in total, playing a crucial part in a penalty shootout win over Wycombe Wanderers on his debut for the club at Adams Park that August.

He went on to keep a total of 13 clean sheets in his maiden campaign in English football, most memorably making a triple save at Craven Cottage to help us secure a 2-1 away victory over high-flying Fulham on New Year’s Day.

Winning the club’s Player of the Season accolade in that first season in RG2, he went on to improve on his record under Veljko Paunovic, keeping 17 clean sheets during the course of 2020-21.

We would like to thank Rafael for his hard work and professionalism during his time at Reading Football Club and wish him the best of luck in the next stage of his career.