[themaclad]

Reading keeper Joel Pereria has turned down advances from Championship clubs to sign a new three-year contract with the Royals.

The 28-year-old former Portugal Under-21 stopper - known as 'El Gato' (The Cat) - has made more than 50 appearances for the club and was runner-up in the club's player of the season vote.

The former Man United youngster spent time on loan with Hearts and Huddersfield before joining the Royals in September 2023 after a spell in the Netherlands with RKC Waalwijk.

Reading co-chief executive, Joe Jacobson, told the club website, external: "We are thrilled that Joel has extended his contract, he is a goalkeeper with immense talent and a vital part of the dressing room.

"We were keen to get this done as quick as possible, he is an essential part of our plans moving forward. He had plenty of interest in his services and it is a big coup for the club."

Royals boss Noel Hunt added "Joel is not just a big part in our team but a huge part of the culture we're building. I'm delighted he's decided to re-sign after having firm offers from teams in the league above."

[themaclad]

Reading have signed defender Paudie O'Connor on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract at Lincoln City.

The 27-year-old has penned a four-year deal through until the summer of 2029 and is the the first player arrival under the new ownership of Rob Couhig.

During his time with the Imps, O'Connor made 142 appearances, scoring eight goals, having previously played 129 games for Bradford City.

"Paudie is a fantastic lad and will be a big character in the dressing room," Reading boss Noel Hunt said.

"He's exactly the type of person we want at our football club for our rebuild, he's been a huge part of Lincoln's success over the past three years.

"We've had our eyes on him for a while and I've been a big admirer of his for some time.

"I knew about him when he was in the Leeds set-up, and I can't wait to work with him on a day to day basis."

The centre-back's arrival is the latest good news for Reading fans after recent new contracts signed by Lewis Wing and Joel Pereira.

"Paudie was always the person we expected to sign at this point," owner Couhig said.

"It was important for us to get Lewis, Joel, and now Paudie, because it demonstrates to the lads in the club our commitment, it demonstrates to our fans our commitment, and lets the league at large know that we're here to play.

"We want guys of strong character who bring more to the dressing room than simply the ability to kick a ball - and he does that in spades.

"He's a heck of a player, so the combination of the two equates to the ideal Reading player."

[themaclad]

Reading centre-back Michael Stickland has signed a new one-year contract with the League One club.

The 21-year-old has made 10 senior appearances for the Royals, including five in the league last season.

"We're delighted to get Stickers signed up for another season, he's done great and has been here a long time," Reading manager Noel Hunt told the club's website, external.

"We felt that when he got his opportunity last season he came in and grabbed it really well, he was excellent."

Stickland follows midfielder Lewis Wing and goalkeeper Joel Pereira in committing his future to the Berkshire club.

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Reading have signed goalkeeper Jack Stevens following the end of his deal with Cambridge United, while club captain Andy Yiadom has signed a new one-year contract.

Stevens, 27, has penned a two-year-deal with the Royals until the summer of 2027.

Stevens previously played in the third tier at Oxford United as well as Port Vale, and most recently Cambridge.

"We're really happy to bring Jack into the squad as we continue to build our team for the new season," chairman Rob Couhig told the club's website, external.

"He has plenty of experience in this league and will form a key part of our goalkeeping team as we look to strengthen across all areas."


Yiadom, 33, has made 222 appearances for the Royals since joining the club in 2018.

He was limited to 14 games in an injury-hit campaign last term but will remain with Noel Hunt's squad next season.

"Yids' impact both on and off the pitch is second to none, and we are delighted to have him signed up for another season," Hunt said, external.

"Last year was tough for him, but he came back strongly in the second half of the season and is back for pre-season looking fresh and ready for the fight."

[themaclad]

Tivonge Rushesha and Jeriel Dorsett have signed new one-year contracts at Reading.

Zimbabwe international Rushesha, 22, who can play at right-back or in midfield, has played 29 times for the Royals since moving to the club from Swansea City two years ago.

He started six of Reading's final 10 games last season as he began to establish himself in the side.

"Tiv is a great lad, I worked with him at U21 level, so coming into the job I knew his character, how hard he works and how much of an asset he can be to the team," manager Noel Hunt told the club website, external.

"He grew into the team towards the end of last season, filling in at right-back and in midfield, so we are delighted to have him back for another season."

Montserrat international defender Dorsett, 23, has made 45 appearances for the Royals, scoring one goal.

"He's a big strong lad and will be a fantastic option for our backline as we enter the new season, but perhaps more importantly he consistently demonstrates the right characteristics and personality within the dressing room," Hunt said, external.

[themaclad]

Reading have signed free agent Daniel Kyerewaa following the expiration of his contract with German second-tier side Preussen Munster.

The 23-year-old from Germany has previously played for Düsseldorf's youth sides and made 64 appearances for Shalke where he scored 14 goals.

Kyerewaa has signed a two-year deal at the SCL Stadium.

Last season he made 21 appearances across all competitions for Preussen Munster, scoring three goals and assisting once.

"Daniel is a really exciting addition to our group," Royals boss Noel Hunt said.

"He's got a great engine, he's creative and he's played in a strong development environment in Germany.

"We believe he's got the tools and the drive to make a big impact here

[themaclad]

Reading have signed Canada international Liam Fraser after the expiration of his contract with League Two side Crawley Town.

Fraser joined Crawley on a free transfer in early 2025 and has previously played for Toronto FC, Belgium side KMSK Deinze, FC Dallas and Columbus Crew.

Last season he made 16 appearances for the Red Devils as they were relegated from League One.

The midfielder - who has 19 caps for the Canadian national team - has signed a two-year-deal at the SCL Stadium.

The 27-year-old is Reading's fourth permanent signing of the summer transfer window after Daniel Kyerewaa, Jack Stevens and Paudie O'Connor.

In May, Crawley Town's retained and released list, external said the club were in negotiations to keep Fraser after his deal expired but, ultimately, no agreement was reached.

"Liam brings a lot of quality and maturity to our group," Royals boss Noel Hunt told the club website., external

"He's played internationally, experienced different styles of football in MLS and Europe, and he's shown real professionalism during a tough spell at Crawley.

"He's calm in possession, sees the game clearly, and has great energy levels. We're really happy to welcome him to Reading."

[themaclad]

Reading forward Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan has signed a new two-year-contract with the club.

The 21-year-old is a product of Reading's academy and has made 92 senior appearances, scoring 17 goals.

Last season, Ehibhatiomhan played 35 times across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing three assists.

Over the summer talks had been ongoing regarding a new deal, with Royals chief executive officer Joe Jacobson saying a breakthrough had been made in early July.

"I'm really pleased Kelvin has committed his future to the club," Reading boss Noel Hunt told the club website., external

"He's come through our pathway and shown real progress over the last couple of seasons.

"He's a strong, athletic player who gives everything on the pitch and is always eager to learn. We've seen his quality already, and we believe there's even more to come.

"We're excited to keep working with him and help him take the next steps in his career here at Reading."

[themaclad]

Reading have signed Portsmouth winger Paddy Lane on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old Northern Ireland international was a regular member of the Pompey side which won promotion from League One in 2023-24 and scored 14 goals in 81 games at Fratton Park.

Lane joined Portsmouth from Fleetwood Town in January 2023 after starting his career at Hyde United.

Reading head coach Noel Hunt told the club website:, external "Paddy is an exciting addition for us.

"He's got great energy, can beat a man, and isn't afraid to take chances in the final third. To play regularly in the Championship at his age speaks volumes, and we believe there's even more to come."

[themaclad]

Reading have signed Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Kamari Doyle on a season-long loan.

The 20-year-old spent time on loan at League One clubs Exeter City and Crawley Town last season.

Doyle began his career at Southampton before joining the Seagulls in January 2024 but is yet to make a senior appearance for the Premier League club.

He spent the first half of last season on loan with Exeter, making 24 appearances and scoring four goals for the Grecians.

Doyle then joined up with Crawley for the second part of the campaign, scoring seven goals in 21 games as the Reds were relegated to League Two.

"There was a lot of interest in Kamari from other clubs at our level, which shows how highly he's rated," Reading manager Noel Hunt told the club's website, external.

"We're really pleased to have secured his services. He's a technically gifted player with great vision and bravery on the ball.

"Kamari has already shown he can perform at this level with two strong loan spells. He brings creativity, energy and goal threat to our midfield."