Reading born-and-bred, defender Tom McIntyre worked his way up through the Academy ranks with the Royals after joining the club at the age of eight.

Despite his scholarship years being plagued with long-term injuries – back and leg problems each requiring lengthy lay-offs – his promise was rewarded with his first professional contract in the summer of 2017.

Even before graduating the Under-18 squad, he had already been a regular in the Under-23s – which included a run in the team that reached the knock-out stages of the Checkatrade Trophy and were finalists of the Premier League Cup in 2017.

The following season, in his first year as a pro, he helped the Under-23s to the Play-Off Semi-Final in Premier League 2.

His rise continued into the first team in the 2018-19 season, and he debuted in Royals colours away at Rotherham United in December, helping the team to a 1-1 draw – he played the entirety of the game, despite fracturing his skull in the early exchanges.

Surgery was required for metal plates to be fitted, so he was ruled out from playing any further games for a few months, returning to action as a substitute away at Bristol City the following April.

McIntyre clocked up 26 appearances during the 2020-21 campaign, and lived every Reading fan's dream when he scored his first Royals goal during a 2-1 win over Luton Town on Boxing Day of 2020.

In June 2021, the defender agreed new terms with the club, extending his time as a Royal by three more years as he continued to make his mark in 2021-22. The scorer of two injury time goals against Sheffield United and Swansea City over the Easter weekend help secured four crucial points as we managed to retain our Championship status.

The Scotland youth international continued to be an important member of the squad, making 41 apperances and scoring two goals during the 2022-23 season.

During the 2022-23 season, McIntyre began to be more often used in a defensive midfield role, as opposed to his more conventional left-sided defensive role.