Season Tickets 2022-23
Sign up now for the coming campaign
There are two new names on our Under-23 books this season, while others are putting pen to paper on new deals with the club
Noel Hunt welcomed his Under-23s squad back into Bearwood for the first day of pre-season training on Monday – gym work in the morning followed by some hard yards out on the grass in the afternoon.
And four of our young professionals found time to put pen to paper in between...
Midfielder Michael Craig spent some time on trial with our Under-23s last season, pulling on the blue and white hoops to represent our Under-23s in clashes against Fulham and Middlesbrough. He has now completed a move to Reading following his release from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this year.
19-year-old Craig had been a regular in Spurs’ Premier League 2 side last season and was even named on the first team bench for Europa Conference League fixtures against Pacos Ferreira and Vitesse Arnhem.
A Scotland Under-19 international, Craig is capable of playing in central midfield or on the right side and has also featured as a right-back. He now joins Noel Hunt’s squad on a permanent basis.
Left-back John Clarke also joins our Under-23s from Port Vale, signing paperwork on a professional deal with the Royals yesterday afternoon.
Centre-half Michael Stickland completed the formalities on his professional contract having agreed to the deal last season upon completion of his scholarship with the club.
The 18-year-old centre-back made his first team bow last season in our Carabao Cup clash at home to Swansea City in August, replacing fellow former Academy graduate Tom McIntyre at half-time.
A composed defender and captain of our Under-23s last season, Stickland was part of the first team squad on seven occasions in total in 2021-22, he subsequently earned his first league minutes as a late substitute to help us secure three points at home to Middlesbrough back in September.
And fellow centre-back Louie Holzman also picked up a pen on his first day back in at Bearwood yesterday.
The 18-year-old defender made his first team debut in the FA Cup last season and was named as an unused substitute twice for league games in 2021-22 – having come up through the ranks since joining the club at the age of 10!
There was no need for a pen nor any signing forms for two others. Clauses in the existing contracts of both Jeriel Dorsett and Kian Leavy have been triggered, ensuring the pair will also be on the Royals books in 2022-23.
Dorsett impressed during a season-long loan spell at Rochdale last season, playing a total of 45 games for the League Two outfit across all competitions in 2021-22 to win the club’s Young Player of the Year accolade.
20-year-old midfielder Leavy meanwhile made his professional debut at Reading in the Carabao Cup clash at home to Swansea City, going on to feature on the bench for the first team on five more occasions in the league.
Our Under-23 side is beginning to take shape. Watch this space for when the ink dries on more paperwork in the coming days.
