Reading tie down youth prospects as pre-season squad begins to take shape

Reading have tied down 11 youth prospects to professional contracts ahead of the first pre-season friendly of the season.

13 Royals were offered deals in May at the culmination of the 2023/24 campaign and all have penned new deals to remain for varying lengths of time.

Adrian Akande, Basil Tuma, Matthew Rowley, Jay Senga and Michael Stickland- all key members of Noel Hunt's successful Under-21s side- have penned their first professional contracts as they aim to gain more first-team minutes next season.

From the Under-18s, Joseph Barough, Boyd Beacroft and Harrison Rhone have completed their scholarships and are likely to feature heavily for Hunt's Under-21s after impressing for Mikele Leigertwood's Under-18s.

Meanwhile, Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith, Jerae Jones and Emmanuel Osho have all signed professional deals halfway through their two-year scholarship.

All three remain under 18 but are likely to see increased minutes above their age categories after impressing in the FA Youth Cup last season.

Reading are unable to enter the transfer market until more progress can be shown regarding a takeover, leaving Ruben Selles to work with the squad that kept the club in League One last season.

Using lots of youth players has its knock-on effects, with the majority of Academy players now playing above their age bracket.