The Greatest (and Worst) January Signings in Reading History

28 August 2025
By Hob Nob Anyone?

The January transfer window is always a gamble. For Reading FC, it’s brought in everything from game-changing additions to signings we’d all rather forget. With budgets tight and pressure high, January deals can be a turning point—or a total misfire.

Over the years, some winter arrivals have slotted in and instantly lifted the team. Others showed promise but faded fast. And a few… well, you’d be forgiven for thinking they never arrived at all. Just as fans place the odd football bet on a last-minute signing turning into a saviour, so too do clubs hedge their season’s hopes on a bit of mid-season magic.

So who makes the cut on both ends of the spectrum? Let’s take a look.

Hits that Made a Difference

Dave Kitson (2003)

One of the best bits of business Reading ever pulled off in January. Signed from Cambridge United for around £150,000, Kitson quickly became a fan favourite with his intelligent play and knack for goals. His contributions were key in Reading’s 2005–06 Championship-winning season, and he went on to score over 50 goals for the club.

Kitson was the classic lower-league gamble that paid off in full. Smart scouting, low risk, high reward—and proof that January doesn’t always mean panic buys.

Kevin Doyle (2005)

Technically a summer agreement but officially finalised in January, Doyle arrived for a reported £78,000 from Cork City. What followed was one of the most cost-effective signings in the club’s history. Doyle’s energy, goals, and tireless pressing helped define the Steve Coppell era, particularly during the club’s record-breaking promotion season.

He brought a Premier League work rate with Championship humility. Every fan knew he gave 100%, every week.

Michael Hector (Loan – 2014)

Though his best spell came slightly later, Hector’s arrival in January 2014 helped to shore up a shaky defence and gave Reading some much-needed stability. After returning from a loan spell, he slotted into the first team and became one of the more consistent performers in an otherwise forgettable campaign.

His form would eventually earn him a big-money move to Chelsea, showing that January can also serve as a launchpad for players with something to prove.

Misses We’d Rather Forget

Emerse Faé (2008)

There was hope around Faé’s arrival from Nantes. A versatile midfielder with international pedigree, he looked the part on paper. But his time at Reading was cut short by illness, form issues, and off-field concerns. He played only a handful of matches and left fans wondering what might have been.

He wasn’t a disaster—but certainly a letdown.

Royston Drenthe (2014)

By the time Drenthe landed at Reading, his best days were behind him. Signed to inject creativity and flair, he delivered little more than frustration and flicks in non-threatening areas. While his ability was never in doubt, the attitude and consistency simply weren’t there.

On paper, he brought a touch of glamour. In practice, it felt like we were always waiting for him to show up.

Jure Travner (2015)

Yes, he did exist. The Slovenian left-back signed in January 2015 but made zero league appearances. His time at the club remains a mystery to many fans—a name you might see on a squad list and wonder, “Was that a Football Manager regen?”

It’s hard to rate someone who never played, but that in itself tells you enough.

Final Thoughts

January will always be a tricky window. There’s rarely time to bed players in, and the market often feels like a race against the clock. But sometimes, a well-judged move can spark a run of form, steady the ship, or even win promotion.

Reading’s January record is a mixed bag, but it’s produced enough highs to keep us hopeful each time it rolls around. Whether it’s a bargain from the lower leagues or a Premier League castoff looking for redemption, the next hidden gem—or costly misfire—might just be one deadline day away.

Let’s just hope it’s more Kitson than Travner.

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