2025–26 Reading F.C. season

Reading
2025–26 season
OwnerRedwood Holdings
ManagerNoel Hunt
StadiumSelect Car Leasing Stadium
League OnePreseason
FA CupPreseason
EFL CupPreseason
EFL TrophyPreseason
Average home league attendance0
All statistics correct as of 3 May 2025.

The 2025–26 season is Reading's 155th and their third consecutive season in League One. In addition to the domestic league, the club will also participate in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.

Season events

Pre-season

Prior to the last match of the previous season, a 4–2 defeat to Barnsley at home, Reading announced that a sale in principle of the club, stadium, and training ground to Rob Couhig's Redwood Holdings Limited.[1] On 14 May 2025, Reading and the EFL, confirmed that Redwood Holdings Limited had completed their takeover of the club.[2][3]

On 16 May, Reading released their retained and released list, with David Button, Harlee Dean, Tom Carroll, Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Adrian Akande, Louie Holzman, Jack Senga, Charlie Wellens, James Sharlott, Kai Source and Verell George all leaving the club at the end of their contracts on 30 June. Reading confirmed that they had activated one-year extension clauses with Mamadi Camará, Tom Norcott, Joseph Barough, Boyd Beacroft and Mathew Rowley. Whilst new contracts had been offered to Michael Craig, Jeriel Dorsett, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Abraham Kanu, Amadou Mbengue, Joel Pereira, Tivonge Rushesha, Michael Stickland, Basil Tuma, Jayden Wareham, Andy Yiadom, Jacob Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis, John Clarke, John Ryan, Jeremiah Okine-Peters, Shay Spencer, Ashqar Ahmed, Carter Bowdery, Philip Duah, Sam Harrison, Luke Howard and Josh Welland.[4]

On 23 May, Reading announced that they had signed a new contract with Lewis Wing, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028.[5]

On 12 June, Reading announced that they had signed a new contract with Joel Pereira, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2028.[6]

On 17 June, Reading announced the signing of Paudie O'Connor to a four-year contract, joining on a free transfer from Lincoln City on 1 July once his contract expires.[7]

On 23 June, Reading announced that they had signed new one-year contracts with John Clarke and John Ryan.[8]

On 24 June, Reading announced that Michael Stickland had signed a new one-year contract with the club.[9]

On 25 June, Reading announced the signing of Jack Stevens to a two-year contract, joining on a free transfer from Cambridge United on 1 July once his contract expires.[10] Later the same day, Reading announced that Andy Yiadom had signed a new one-year contract.[11]

On 26 June, Reading congifirmed that both Amadou Mbengue and Jayden Wareham had turned down new contracts with the club, and would depart at the end of their contracts on 30 June.[12]

July

On 1 July, Reading announced new one-year contracts with Tivonge Rushesha and Jeriel Dorsett.[13][14]

On 2 July, Reading announced new contracts for Ashqar Ahmed, Jacob Borgnis, Carter Bowdery, Phillip Duah, Sam Harrison, Abraham Kanu, Shay Spencer, Basil Tuma and Josh Welland. Ahmed and Welland both signed two-year contracts whilst Borgnis, Bowdery, Duah, Harrison, Kanu, Spencer and Tuma all signed one-year deals.[15]

On 4 July, Reading announced that Jeremiah Okine-Peters and Luke Howard had both signed new one-year contracts with the club, and that they had signed Matty Jacob on loan from Hull City for the season.[16][17] Also on the same day, Reading confirmed that Michael Craig had left the club after turning down a new contract in order to sign with Leyton Orient, with Orient paying an undisclosed fee in order to avoid a compensation hearing.[18]

On 7 July, Reading announced the season-long loan signings of Finley Burns from Manchester City and Mark O'Mahony from Brighton & Hove Albion.[19][20]

Squad

As of match played 3 May 2025[21][22]
No. Name Nationality Position Date of birth (Age) Signed from Signed in Contract ends Apps. Goals
Goalkeepers
22 Joel Pereira[a] GK (1996-06-28) 28 June 1996 Unattached 2023[23] 2028[6] 54 0
Jack Stevens GK (1997-08-02) 2 August 1997 Cambridge United 2025[10] 2027[10] 0 0
Defenders
2 Kelvin Abrefa[b] DF (2003-12-09) 9 December 2003[24] Academy 2020 2026[25] 56 2
3 Jeriel Dorsett[c] DF (2002-05-04) 4 May 2002 Academy 2019[26] 2026[14] 45 1
17 Andy Yiadom[d] DF (1991-12-02) 2 December 1991 Barnsley 2018[27] 2026[11] 222 4
32 Abraham Kanu DF (2005-07-03) 3 July 2005[28] Academy 2021 2026[15] 16 0
33 John Clarke DF (2004-04-24) 24 April 2004[29] Port Vale 2022[30] 2026[8] 4 0
38 Michael Stickland DF (2003-11-09) 9 November 2003[31] Academy 2020 2026[9] 10 0
39 Ashqar Ahmed DF (2007-08-31) 31 August 2007[32] Academy 2023 2027[15] 12 0
49 Emmanuel Osho DF (2006-09-26) 26 September 2006[33] Academy 2024[34] 2026[34] 6 0
57 John Ryan DF (2004-01-21) 21 January 2004[35] Sassuolo 2023[36] 2026[8] 0 0
Finley Burns DF (2003-06-17) 17 June 2003 on loan from Manchester City 2025[19] 2026[19] 0 0
Matty Jacob DF (2001-06-03) 3 June 2001 on loan from Hull City 2025[17] 2026[17] 0 0
Paudie O'Connor DF (1997-07-14) 14 July 1997 Lincoln City 2025[7] 2029[7] 0 0
Midfielders
4 Ben Elliott[e] MF (2002-11-05) 5 November 2002 Chelsea 2023[37] 2026[37] 66 3
8 Charlie Savage[f] MF (2003-05-02) 2 May 2003 Manchester United 2023[38] 2027[38] 96 12
14 Tivonge Rushesha MF (2002-07-24) 24 July 2002[39] Unattached 2023[40] 2026[13] 33 0
28 Mamadi Camará MF (2003-12-31) 31 December 2003 Feirense 2020[41] 2026[4] 61 5
29 Lewis Wing MF (1995-06-23) 23 June 1995 Unattached 2023[42] 2028[5] 99 22
30 Andre Garcia MF (2007-11-30) 30 November 2007[43] Academy 2024 43 0
44 Tyler Sackey MF (2006-11-14) 14 November 2006[44] Academy 2024 4 2
Forwards
7 Harvey Knibbs FW (1999-04-26) 26 April 1999 Unattached 2023[45] 2026[45] 100 32
26 Basil Tuma[g] FW (2005-04-24) 24 April 2005[46] Academy 2021 2026[15] 12 0
47 Shay Spencer FW Academy 2022 2026[15] 5 0
Mark O'Mahony FW (2005-01-14) 14 January 2005 on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion 2025[20] 2026[20] 0 0
U21
41 Tom Norcott GK (2005-01-03) 3 January 2005[47] Academy 2021 2026[4] 2 0
42 Boyd Beacroft DF (2005-11-22) 22 November 2005[48] Academy 2021 2026[4] 1 0
43 Jeremiah Okine-Peters FW Academy 2021 2026[16] 1 0
46 Jacob Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis MF (2004-09-06) 6 September 2004[49] Academy 2021 2026[15] 0 0
50 Joseph Barough MF (2006-04-03) 3 April 2006[50] Academy 2023 2026[4] 1 0
52 Sam Harrison DF (2006-10-24) 24 October 2006[51] 2024 2026[15] 0 0
53 Philip Duah DF (2006-11-13) 13 November 2006[52] Academy 2024 2026[15] 0 0
Matthew Rowley GK (2004-07-30) 30 July 2004[53] Academy 2020 2026[4] 0 0
Harrison Rhone GK (2006-03-25) 25 March 2006[54] Academy 2021 0 0
Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith MF (2005-11-22) 22 November 2005[55] Academy 2024[34] 2027[34] 0 0
Luke Howard MF Academy 2025[16] 2026[16] 0 0
U18
Josh Welland GK Academy 2025 2027[15] 0 0
Carter Bowdery MF Academy 2025 2026[15] 0 0
Jerae Jones MF (2007-05-22) 22 May 2007[56] Academy 2024[34] 2027[34] 0 0
Dennis Bossman FW (2006-10-07) 7 October 2006[57] Academy 2023 0 0
Out on loan
Left during the season
  1. ^ Joel Pereira was born in Switzerland, but qualified to represent Portugal, representing them at youth level between 2012 and 2018.
  2. ^ Kelvin Abrefa was born in Italy to Ghanaian parents, going on to make his debut for Ghana U20 in June 2022.
  3. ^ Jeriel Dorsett was born in Enfield, England, but qualified to represent Montserrat and made his international debut for Montserrat in September 2023. He previously represented England at U18 level.
  4. ^ Andy Yiadom was born in Holloway, England, but qualified to represent Ghana and made his international debut for Ghana in January 2017. He previously represented England at C level.
  5. ^ Ben Elliott was born in Kingston upon Thames, England, but qualified to represent Cameroon and made his international debut for Cameroon in June 2023. He previously represented England at U15 & U16 level.
  6. ^ Charlie Savage was born in Leicester, England, but qualified to represent Wales, representing them at U17, U18, U19, U21 and senior level.
  7. ^ Basil Tuma was born in Uganda, but qualified to represent Malta, and made his international debut for Malta U20 in November 2022.

Transfers

For those players sold, released or contract ended before the start of this season, see 2024–25 Reading F.C. season.

In

Date Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
17 June 2025[a] DF Paudie O'Connor Lincoln City Free [7]
25 June 2025[a] GK Jack Stevens Cambridge United Free [10]

Loans in

Start date Position Nationality Name From End date Ref.
4 July 2025 DF Matty Jacob Hull City 30 June 2026 [17]
7 July 2025 DF Finley Burns Manchester City 30 June 2026 [19]
7 July 2025 FW Mark O'Mahony Brighton & Hove Albion 30 June 2026 [20]
  1. ^ a b Transfer announced on the shown date, becoming official on 1 July 2025.

Friendlies

On 29 May, Reading announced their first pre-season friendly, an away trip to face Gillingham on 12 July.[58] Reading announced their second pre-season friendly on 3 June, a home match against Portsmouth on 26 July.[59] On 9 June, Reading announced two behind-closed doors friendlies at Bearwood Park Training Ground, against Swindon Town on 15 July and Oxford United on 22 July.[60] On 27 June, Reading announced that their first pre-season friendly would take place on 5 July, away to Hungerford Town at Bulpit Lane,[61] and that they would host Tottenham Hotspur at home on 19 July.[62]

5 July 2025 Hungerford Town 1–5 Reading Hungerford
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Williams Report Tuma
Osho

Ahmed
Okine-Peters
Stadium: Bulpit Lane
12 July 2025 Gillingham Reading Gillingham
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
15 July 2025 Reading Swindon Town Sindlesham
12:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Bearwood Park Training Ground
Attendance: 0
Note: Match played behind closed doors.[60]
19 July 2025 Reading Tottenham Hotspur Reading
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium
22 July 2025 Reading Oxford United Sindlesham
12:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Bearwood Park Training Ground
Attendance: 0
Note: Match played behind closed doors.[60]
26 July 2025 Reading Portsmouth Reading
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium

Development

On 5 May, Basingstoke Town announced that they would host a Reading XI in a pre-season friendly on 26 July.[63] On 5 June, Reading announced four pre-season fixtures for their academy teams.[64]

19 July 2025 Beaconsfield Town Reading U18s Beaconsfield
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Holloways Park
26 July 2025 Basingstoke Town Reading U21s Basingstoke
11:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Winklebury Sports Complex
26 July 2025 Thatcham Town Reading U18s Thatcham
13:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Waterside Park
30 July 2025 Bracknell Town Reading U18s Sandhurst
19:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Bottom Meadow

Competitions

Overall record

Competition Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
League One 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
FA Cup 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
EFL Cup 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
EFL Trophy 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !

Last updated: 3 May 2025
Source: Soccerway

League One

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
17 Plymouth Argyle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
18 Port Vale 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
19 Reading 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
20 Rotherham United 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
21 Stevenage 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Relegation to EFL League Two
Updated to match(es) played on 26 April 2025. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[65]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 0 0 0  0

Last updated: 3 May 2025.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round

Round1
Ground
Result
Position
Updated to match(es) played on 3 May 2025. Source: Soccerway
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Matches

On 26 June, the fixture list was released, with Reading starting their campaign away to Lincoln City on 2 August, and finishing the season at home to Blackpool.[66]

2 August 2025 1 Lincoln City v Reading Lincoln
15:00 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Sincil Bank

FA Cup

BST (UTC+1)

EFL Cup

Reading were drawn away to Portsmouth in the first round.[67][68]

12 August 2025 First Round Portsmouth Reading Portsmouth
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Stadium: Fratton Park

EFL Trophy

Group stage

On 25 June, Reading were drawn into Southern Group D alongside Swindon Town and Milton Keynes Dons and an unnamed U21 team, which was named as West Ham United the following day.[69][70]

BST (UTC+1)
BST (UTC+1)
BST (UTC+1)

Squad statistics

References

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