Three Reading youngsters tipped for breakthrough campaigns in upcoming season

A jewel in the Royal crown, the Reading Academy celebrates its 25th anniversary this year- a quarter of a century of providing the club with talented youngsters and a steady stream of income.

Over the last few years, the importance of the youngsters has reached new heights as transfer embargoes have reduced the club's ability to trade in the market.

Again, with the 2024/25 campaign just six weeks away, the Academy are set for another crucial season supporting Ruben Selles and his first-team set-up.

This takes on even more importance in the coming months as the club are unable to sign anyone in the transfer window until they can prove to the governing bodies that a new owner is progressing in their bid to buy the club.

Take a look below at three Academy graduates we tip to enjoy a breakthrough campaign in blue and white this season.

(Image: jasonpix)

John Ryan

An Ireland Under-19 international who arrived in Berkshire from a stint in Serie A with Sassuolo, the 20-year-old full-back was an important player for Noel Hunt's impressive youth squad last year.

Named in the first-team squad once over the last campaign, the defender is currently the only left-back on the books after Clinton Mola's exit.

As things stand, Ryan is likely to see lots of game time and then it is down to the Irishman to grab his opportunity with both hands.

(Image: jasonpix)

Kelvin Abrefa

On the opposite flank, club captain Andy Yiadom remains number one and for good reason. However, the next fledgling full-back coming behind him is 20-year-old Abrefa.

Signing a new two-year deal last week, Abrefa made 11 League One appearances at the back end of the campaign.

A more than adequate replacement, Yiadom is approaching 33 and may not be able to feature as regularly as he has done in the last seven years.

Appearing more and more season after season, the youngster could break through to become a real regular this campaign coming.

(Image: jasonpix)

Jayden Wareham

19-year-old Wareham was clinical and crucial for Hunt's Under-21s, netting 10 goals in 16 appearances, but missed a golden chance to open his first-team account on the final day against Blackpool.

Offering bundles of energy and enthusiasm to the forward pack, Wareham is likely to improve on his 11 appearances under Selles and look to score his first EFL goal.