Reading defender 'not surprised' to see Selles make 'deserved' switch to Championship

Reading defender Harlee Dean has admitted that he is 'not surprised' to see Ruben Selles depart to Hull City, adding it was 'only a matter of time' before a higher league side snapped him up.

The experienced centre-back was used little under Selles, making just 28 appearances for the club since his arrival last summer but had said in an interview that he had learnt the most from the Spaniard out of any boss in his career.

Selles, worshipped by many in the fanbase, opted to join Championship bottom club Hull last week and Reading appointed club legend Noel Hunt on a two-and-a-half year deal.

32-year-old Dean started Tuesday's EFL Trophy exit at Walsall and was quizzed on the exit of his former boss.

Asked whether he was surprised to see him go, Dean said: "Not really, no. I think he deserves it."

"Unfortunately, the club is in the situation it is in and I think it was a matter of time before a higher league club came calling," he continued. "I know he did it with a lot of heartache, it was tough for him to do, but ultimately football is about developing and furthering your career, and he thinks it is the right move for him.

"This should be the last thing we speak about him because his tenure is over now, we have a new manager and a new regime which I think we should focus on now."

With Amadou Mbengue and Tyler Bindon in imperious form as a centre-back partnership in League One, Dean has not started a league match for the club since a defeat to Portsmouth in October 2023.

Looking at the future in general, with the Royals currently sixth in the table, Dean has admitted that it is difficult to be optimistic.

"What I’ve learned in my brief time with this club is that there is no point looking to the future because you never know what is around the corner. If there is something, it’s not usually good news. We focus on the here and now, our performances and continuing where we are as a team, and we will see what happens."