Reading Football Club are delighted to announce that 11 promising young players have signed new contracts with the club, retaining their services for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.
Of the 11 players to sign, five have agreed new professional terms with the Royals:
Adrian Akande
A former Crystal Palace and Chelsea youth product, Adrian was an ever present in Noel Hunt's Under 21 side throughout 2023-24. In the Premier League 2 regular season, the pacy attacker made 14 appearances, scoring three and assisting seven goals in those games. He really came into his own during the end of season Play-Offs, with his brace in the last 16 tie with Middlesbrough proving to be the difference between the two teams.
Matthew Rowley
A young shot-stopper who has been amongst the Royals ranks since an early age, Matt experienced first team football during the 2023-24 season on loan at Beaconsfield and Dover Athletic. At the latter, he would keep two clean sheets in his nine appearances at the National League South outfit.
Jay Senga-Ngoyi
A Belgian born central midfielder, Jay made his Royals First Team debut on the final day of the 2022-23 season, coming off the bench with 20 minutes to go for Noel Hunt's team against Huddersfield. He started the following campaign at Ayr United, making 11 appearances in the Scottish Championship before the expiration of his loan in January. On his returned he would feature heavily in our Under 21's Premier League 2 campaign, including spells off the bench in both the Quarter and Semi Finals of the Play-Offs.
Michael Stickland
The captain of our Under 21s side that reached the last four of the end of season Play-Offs, Stickland's performances throughout the campaign earned him a place on the shortlist for the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award. As well as leading the way in Noel Hunt's team, the centre back has also made First Team appearances in 2021 in our Carabao Cup tie against Swansea City, and in the Championship match against Middlesbrough.
Basil Tuma
A pacy attacker, Tuma joined the Royals in 2022 after a spell in the Fulham youth setup. In 2023-24 he would enjoy minutes in the First Team, coming off the bench in the August league matches with Cheltenham Town and Exeter City, whilst also playing his part in the Carabao Cup ties with Championship sides Millwall and Ipswich Town. In the Premier League 2 Play-Off Semi Final with Sunderland he made a huge impact to come off the bench and drive his team forward to equalise and subsequently take the lead late on.
Graduating Scholars
We are also delighted to confirm that three players have signed their first professional contract having completed their scholarship within the Academy last term. The following players will be retained with the club:
- Joseph Barough
- Boyd Beacroft
- Harrison Rhone
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Rising Stars
Our final three youngsters have signed their first professional deals just one year into their two year scholarship with the club. Such is the promise shown by each of them, the club are delighted they have committed to deals whilst they see out the remaining time in their scholarship and beyond.
- Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith - signed until summer 2027
- Jerae Jones - signed until summer 2027
- Emmanuel Osho - signed until summer 2026
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Congratulations to all of our young players who have penned new deals, and we look forward to seeing your development continue in RG2!