2023–24 Reading F.C. Season

The 2023–24 season was the 153rd season in the existence of Reading and their first season in the League One since the 2001–02 season following their relegation from the Championship the previous season and covers the period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. Reading finished the season in 17th position on 53 points, following a six-point deduction over the course of the season. In the FA Cup, Reading defeated Milton Keynes Dons before being eliminated by Eastleigh in the second round. In the EFL Cup, Reading defeated Millwall before being eliminated by Ipswich Town on penalties in the second round. In the EFL Trophy, Reading won all three of their group games, scoring 19 goals in the process, before being eliminated by Brighton & Hove Albion U21 in the Round of 16.

Season events

Pre-season

At the end of the previous season, Reading announced an update on out of contract players for the upcoming season. Scott Dann, Luke Southwood, Shane Long, Liam Moore, Lucas Joao and Dejan Tetek all departed the club at the end of June, whilst Nesta Guinness-Walker had a clause activated in his contract that saw him retained for the current season. Additionally, Yakou Méïté, Amadou Mbengue and Junior Hoilett were all offered new contracts.

From the under-21 squad, Coniah Boyce-Clarke was offered a three-year contract, and John Clarke a one-year contract. Whist Hamid Abdel-Salam, Adrian Akande, Harvey Collins, Matt Rowley and Michael Stickland all had clauses in their contracts triggered for the 2023–24 season. Matthew Carson and Jeriel Dorsett where also offered new contracts. Lui Bradbury, Ethan Burnett, Josh Green, Nahum Melvin-Lambert, Kian Leavy, Claudio Osorio and Rashawn Scott all left the club's academy ranks at the end of their contract.

Reading offered first professional contracts to Harvey Maudner, Jacob Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis, Tom Norcott, Caylan Vickers, Jeremiah Okine-Peters and Basil Tuma, whilst David Nyarko, Ryley Campbell, Kyle Daniel-Spray, Harrison Furlong, Louis Hutchings, Troy Murray, Zion Nditi and Aston Greaver all left the club.

On 18 May, Reading announced their first pre-season friendlies of the season: an away trip to Bristol City, to be played behind closed-doors at the Robins High Performance Centre on 12 July, followed by an away trip to Sutton United on 15 July. Another two pre-season friendlies were announced on 31 May: a behind closed-doors match against Queens Park Rangers would be played on 25 July, followed by a match against Swansea City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on 29 July.

On 11 June, Qatar Stars League club Al-Markhiya announced the signing of Naby Sarr.

Reading were charged by the EFL on 16 June with failing to pay their players on time and in full, in October and November 2022, and April 2023, and, later, with non-payment of taxes. If the charges are proven, Reading will start the 2023–24 League One season with points already deducted.

With the opening of the Transfer Window on 21 June, Reading confirmed that George Pușcaș had left the club join Genoa for an undisclosed fee, which would paid to the club in instalments, and that Yakou Méïté had turned down a new contract with the club. Reading were also drawn into Group G of the EFL Trophy alongside Exeter City and Swindon Town. This came a day before the league fixtures were announced: Reading would open their account with a home fixture against Peterborough United and ending the season by hosting Blackpool. Two cup draws additionally took place that day: the EFL Trophy group was completed with Arsenal U21 being Reading's final opponents. before Reading were drawn away at Millwall in the first round of the EFL Cup.

On 27 June, Reading confirmed that Tom Ince had left the club to sign for Watford for an undisclosed fee.

July

On 1 July, Reading announced that they had signed new contracts with John Clarke, Matthew Carson and Hamid Abdel Salam, and that scholars Tom Norcott, Caylan Vickers, Harvey Maudner, Jeremiah Okine-Peters, Basil Tuma and Jacob Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis had all signed their first professional contract with the club.

On 11 July, Reading confirmed that their academy had been reassigned as a Category One academy a year after the status had been downgraded the previous year, meaning their under-21s would play in Premier League 2 for the upcoming season. Later the same day, Jeriel Dorsett signed a new one-year contract with the club, until the summer of 2024, whilst Geneiro Maragh joined the U21 team on a similar deal.

Harvey Knibbs was signed on a free-transfer to a three-year contract on 13 July, with Rubén Sellés being formally confirmed as the club's First Team Manager, after his visa application was successful, the subsequent day. He had previously been announced by the club on 26 June, subject the approval of his visa.

On 17 July, Reading announced had Sam Smith signed three-year contract to complete a free transfer to the club. He had been released by the club two years prior. Amadou Mbengue signed a new two-year contract with the club two days after.

On 21 July, Reading announced the signing of Lewis Wing to a three-year contract, after he'd left Wycombe Wanderers at the end of the previous season. The following day, after Reading's 4–2 friendly defeat to Southampton, Reading announced the signing of Charlie Savage to a four-year contract from Manchester United.

On 27 July, Louie Holzman joined League of Ireland Premier Division club Bohemian on loan until the end of their league season.

August

On 4 August, Reading announced the signing of Tivonge Rushesha to a one-year contract, and the signing of Harlee Dean to a two-year contract.

On 7 August, Reading announced the signing of Tyler Bindon to a two-year contract from Los Angeles FC.

On 9 August, Reading announced the signing of David Button, who'd left West Bromwich Albion the previous day, to a two-year contract. The following day, 10 August, Jökull Andrésson extended his contract with Reading until the summer of 2025 and joined Carlisle United on loan for the season, whilst Coniah Boyce-Clarke also signed a new two-year contract with the club having been on a week-to-week contract since his previous contract expired at the end of the previous season.

On 15 August, Reading announced the signing of Ben Elliott from Chelsea, to a three-year contract.

On 16 August, Reading were docked one point by the EFL for failing to pay their players on time on three separate occasions during the 2022–23 season, with a further three points suspended until the end of the season. Later the same day, Reading announced the season-long loan signing of Paul Mukairu from Copenhagen.

On 31 August, Andy Carroll triggered a release clause in his contract to terminate his deal with Reading with immediate effect.

September

On 1 September, transfer deadline day, Dean Bouzanis re-joined Sutton United on loan until January 2024, whilst Jack Senga also joined Ayr United on a loan until January.
Also on 1 September, Reading announced the singings of John Ryan, Charlie Wellens, Billie Clark and Jayden Wareham to their U21 squad for the season, that Dom Ballard had joined the club on loan for the season from Southampton with Thierry Rohart-Brown going in the opposite direction for an undisclosed fee, and the signing of Clinton Mola to a one-year contract.

On 9 September, Reading announced the signing of free-agent Joel Pereira to a one-year contract with the option of a further year.

On 13 September, Reading triggered their suspended three-point penalty and were deducted three points by the EFL after owner Dai Yongge failed to deposit 125% of the club's monthly wage bill into a designated account by Tuesday 12 September 2023, as ordered by the Independent Disciplinary Commission on 15 August 2023.

October

On 23 October, Reading announced that their academy had signed a partnership with League of Ireland First Division club Wexford that will see coaches and potential academy players spending time at the club.

On 31 October, Reading were served another HMRC winding-up petition over unpaid taxes.

November

On 1 November, Reading were referred to an EFL independent disciplinary commission regarding unpaid HMRC debts owed in September and October 2023, with an EFL hearing against Dai Yongge was scheduled for the end of November.

On 25 November, Reading secured a 2–1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park to end the clubs 378 day wait for a league win away from home, which had seen them draw two and lost eighteen games. On 28 November, Reading defeated Carlisle United, 5–1, to secure back to back wins for the first time since August, whilst in a post match interview Head Coach Rubén Sellés confirmed that Dom Ballard would be out for the season after snapping his Patellar tendon.

December

On 7 December, Jahmari Clarke joined Boreham Wood on loan until 28 January 2024.

On 18 December, Ovie Ejaria left the club by mutual consent.

On 19 December, Dai Yongge was fined £20,000 for Reading's wages failures; the EFL had recommended a 12-month ban from all football activities, but an independent disciplinary commission opted not to enforce it. A further £50,000 fine was suspended until 12 January 2024.

January

On 5 January, Reading announced the departure of Director of Player Development, Eddie Niedzwiecki, and Assistant Head Coach, Andrew Sparkes, as part of a cost-cutting restructure of the club.

On 13 January, Reading's EFL League One game against Port Vale was abandoned after 16 minutes due to a pitch invasion by the fans in protest against owner Dai Yongge.

On 15 January, the EFL imposed their suspended £50,000 fine on Dai Yongge for failing to meet financial deadlines over wages.

On 17 January, Reading announced that Tom Holmes had signed for Premier League club Luton Town for an undisclosed fee, but would remain at the club on loan until the end of the season.

On 23 January, Reading announced the return of Jack Senga from his loan deal with Ayr United, whilst also confirming that goalkeepers Dean Bouzanis and Matt Rowley had had their respective loans extended to the end of the season. Later on the same day, the EFL announced that Reading's abandoned game against Port Vale on 13 January would be replayed in full on 20 February, with the club receiving a suspended 3-point penalty.

On 24 January, Nesta Guinness-Walker joined fellow League One club Stevenage on loan for the remainder of the season.

On 25 January, Nelson Abbey left the club to sign for Olympiacos for an undisclosed fee.

On 30 January, Tom McIntyre left the club to sign for Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee.

February

On 1 February, transfer deadline day, Taylan Harris and Caylan Vickers left Reading on permanent deals to join Luton Town and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively for undisclosed fees, whilst Zane Monlouis joined on loan from Arsenal for the remainder of the season.

On 27 February, Reading were deducted another 2 points for late HMRC payments, whilst owner Dai Yongge was handed a £100,000 for his repeated failures to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the club's forecast monthly wage bill in a designated account.

March

On 11 March, Matt Rowley ended his loan deal with Beaconsfield Town and joined Dover Athletic on loan for the remainder of the season.

On 14 March, Reading announced they were holding talks with Wycombe Wanderers over the sale of Bearwood Park, but Wycombe put the talks "on hold" after learning that "planning limitations allowed only Reading to use the grounds".

On 16 March, Jahmari Clarke joined Yeovil Town on loan for the remainder of the season.

On 21 March 2024, Nigel Howe said there have been "approaches from around the world" to buy Reading. Five days later, Reading were reported to be in "exclusive negotiations" with a buyer to agree final terms for Dai Yongge's shareholding, the stadium and the training ground; closing the deal could take up to two months.

On 28 March, Tom Norcott joined Beaconsfield Town on loan for the remainder of the season.

April

On 5 April, Reading announced that Academy graduate Shay Spencer had signed his first professional contract with the club, a one-year deal until the summer of 2025.

On 27 April, the final day of the season, Reading announced following their 3–2 victory over Blackpool, that Lewis Wing had won their player of the season award with Tyler Bindon second and Harvey Knibbs third.

May

On 8 May, Reading released their retained and release list for the end of the season. Femi Azeez, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Jayden Wareham, Michael Craig, Jeriel Dorsett and Joel Pereira all had one-year optional extensions activated by the club, whilst Kelvin Abrefa and Tivonge Rushesha were offered new contracts with their current deals expiring on 30 June. Reading also confirmed that Matthew Carson, Nesta Guinness-Walker, Sam Hutchinson and Clinton Mola would all be leaving the club when their contracts expire on 30 June.

On 23 May, Reading released their retained and released list for their Under 18 and Under 21 teams. For the Under 21 team, Jacob Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis, John Clarke, Jeremiah Okine-Peters, John Ryan and Charlie Wellens all had one-year contract extensions exercised, Adrian Akande, Matthew Rowley, Jack Senga, Michael Stickland and Basil Tuma had all been offered new contracts, whilst Hamid Abdel-Salam, Billie Clark, Jahmari Clarke, Harvey Collins, Ajani Giscombe, Geneiro Maragh, Harvey Maudner, Sam Paul and Ben Purcell would all leave the club. For the Under 18 team, Joseph Barough, Boyd Beacroft and Harrison Rhone all were offered new contracts, whilst Toby Mawer rejected a contract offer in order to accept a College Sponsorship place in the United States and Tyler Field, Matthew Goulding, William Gutierrez-Ramirez, Jayden Porter-Atkinson, Jack Timberlake and Aaron White would all leave the club.

June

On 27 June, Reading announced that they had signed a new two-year contract with Kelvin Abrefa.

Squad

Transfers

:For those players sold, released or contract ended before the start of this season, see 2022–23 Reading F.C. season.

In

Loans in

Out

Loans out

Released

Trial

Friendlies

Competitions

Overall record

League One

League table

Results summary

Results by round

Matches

FA Cup

Reading were drawn at home to Milton Keynes Dons in the first round.

EFL Cup

Reading were drawn away to Millwall in the first round and at home to Ipswich Town in the second round.

EFL Trophy

In the group stage, Reading were drawn into Southern Group G alongside Exeter City, Swindon Town and Arsenal U21. After topping their group, they were drawn at home to Charlton Athletic in the Round of 32. After defeating Charlton on penalties, Reading were drawn away to Brighton & Hove Albion U21 in the Last 16.

Group stage

Knockout stages

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

, -
, colspan="14", ''Players away on loan:''

, -
, colspan="14", ''Players who appeared for Reading but left during the season:''

Goal scorers

Clean sheets

Disciplinary record

References

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Reading
Reading F.C. seasons