Pre-Season Continues With Draw At Besiktas

18 July 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Sam Smith and new signing Marc McNulty scored late goals as Reading drew 2-2 at Austrian side Besiktas. The Royals were two goals behind with ten minutes to play before the late comeback prevented another pre-season friendly defeat. McNulty, who signed earlier this month in a four year deal thought to be around one million pounds from Coventry City, made his friendly debut in last weekend's draw at Fulham and again come on late in the game. After swapping most of the team in the last third of the game both Smith and McNulty came off the bench to score.

The Royals have already lost 1-2 at non-league Eastleigh and needed a late goal from Bacuna to draw level only for the home side to immediately find the winner. That defeat was followed by another defeat as the Royals went down 2-4 at AFC Wimbledon with Sam Smith and Adrian Popa hitting the target. Reading are yet to record a pre-season victory after the defeats against AFC Wimbledon and Eastleigh were followed up with a 0-0 draw against Fulham and the 2-2 draw at Besiktas.

Meanwhile Reading have signed Darren Sidoel on a three year contract from the Ajax youth side. The 20 year old defender had a successful season butwas yet to break into the first team before his move to the Royals.

Players In So Far

• Marc McNulty (Coventry) £1M
• Darren Sidoel (Jong Ajax)
• John O'Shea (Sunderland)
• David Meyler (Hull City)
• Andy Yiadom (Barnsley)

• Yann Kermorgant (Retired)
• Tennai Watson (AFC Wimbledon) - Season Loan
• Andrija Novakovic (Fortuna Sittard) - Season Loan
• Sandro Weiser (Contract Terminated)
• Stephen Quinn (Released)
• Joseph Mendes (Released)
• Deniss Rakels (Released)
• Jonathan Bond (Released)
• Danzell Gravenberch (KSV Roeselare) - Season Loan

New Season Fixtures Released: Derby First Game

21 June 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading will start the new 2018/2019 season with a Friday night fixture at the Madejski Stadium against Frank Lampard's Derby County on 3 August. The game will be the first Championship game of the season as it was picked out by Sky Sports to be screened live, due to the interest in Lampard's first game in charge of the Rams after becoming their new manager this summer.

Our Boxing Day fixture this season will be a trip to Millwall, and as well as starting the season at home, the Royals will end the campaign with a home fixture against Birmingham City on Sunday 5 May.

Reading FC 2018/2019 - Fixture List >>

Reading FC 2018/2019 - New Season Fixtures in full:

John O'Shea Agrees Move To Reading

07 June 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have agreed the signing of defender John O'Shea, who will complete his move from Sunderland when his contract expires this summer. O'Shea is Reading third summer signing, and like midfielder David Meyler and full back Andy Yiadom he will also arrive at Reading on a free transfer after failing to agree a new contract at his existing club. Thirty-seven year old O'Shea appears to looking for a final chance at Championship level after Sunderland were relegated to League One at the end of the season. He recently retired from International football, playing his last match for the Republic of Ireland last weekend. He played the first 33 minutes to earn his 118th cap for Ireland as they defeated the United States 2-1.

Opinion is split on the signing of a player at the end of his career who has been involved in consecutive relegations with Sunderland. However there is no doubt, as Reading manager Paul Clement points out, that "John has played and won at the very highest level". After retiring from International duty, O'Shea has signed a one year contract at Reading and will be hoping to make a final impact after an impressive career with Manchester United and Sunderland. From 1999 to 2011 he made 256 appearances for United, scoring ten goals, and played in every position for the club. In the summer of 2011 he moved to Sunderland for an undisclosed fee and went on to record a further 226 appearances - the vast majority in the Premier League.

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David Meyler To Join On A Free

06 June 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Midfielder David Meyler has become Reading's second confirmed signing of the summer, following full back Andy Yiadom who will sign a four year contract with Reading next month when his contract at Barnsley expires. Meyler will join Reading, signing a two year contract, from Hull City and will also be a free signing when his contract at Hull expires this summer.

Twenty nine year old Meyler spent his youth at Cork City before moving to Sunderland, then in the Premier League. He failed to secure a regular first team place at Sunderland before moving to Hull City in November 2012, initially on loan. After impressing on loan he was signed up for 1.5 million pounds before the January transfer window closed and went on to become a regular in Hull's side as they secured promotion to the Premier League.

Meyler then went on to make 78 Premier League appearances for Hull over two spells in the top tier, and he leaves Hull after failing to agree a new contract after the club struggled in the Championship last season. His Hull City career saw him make 191 appearances and scoring 19 goals. During his successful time at Hull he also managed to hit the headlines for being on the receiving end of Alan Pardew's infamous touchline headbutt.

Meyler is a current Republic of Ireland International and came on as a second half substitute in Ireland's 0-2 defeat in France last week.

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