Reading youngster released by Premier League side after injury-hit campaign

Reading youngster Shandon Baptiste is available on the free transfer market after his release by Premier League side, Brentford.

26-year-old Baptise, raised in Tilehurst, was a student at Denefield School and had eight years in the Royals youth teams.

Released a decade ago for being deemed 'too short', the midfielder made his name with Oxford United before earning a move to Brentford in 2020.

Suffering a series of injuries in four-and-a-half years in West London, Baptiste departs having made 78 appearances for the Bees.

Director of football Phil Giles said: “We signed Shandon when we were in the Championship, when the aim was to achieve promotion to the Premier League.

“Shandon and Brentford have achieved that together, and he has gone on to be involved in some significant moments for us as a Premier League player for the last three seasons.

“In truth, I’m sure Shandon would want to be involved on the pitch more than he has been, which is why we feel it’s the right time to let him become a regular and key player at another club.”