The Royals are very pleased to have today signed striker Rowan Liburd into our development group.
The 22-year-old frontman signed a two-year contract with Co-Chairman Sir John Madejski today, and arrives from Isthmian Premier League side Billericay, for whom he scored 22 goals between November and April of last season.
6’4” with a turn of pace and an eye for goal, Rowan spent four years in America on a football scholarship and made a name for himself at Georgia’s Thomas University. He won a host of awards, including the Sun Conference Player of the Year, which covers Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
Returning to the UK last summer, he set about making his way in the English game, and having caught the eye of our scouts, he now gets his chance at Reading in our development group. He has already scored twice for our Under 21s, helping them to a 7-0 friendly win over Beaconsfield a week ago, and the aim is for him to now keep progressing here at Madejski Stadium.
Director of Football Nick Hammond said, "I’d like to welcome Rowan to the Club, he is a boy we hope can really develop here, and we wish him every success.
"The challenge now is for him to fulfil his undoubted potential, and we have already seen that he has an excellent work ethic and a willingness to learn. Those attributes are absolutely vital to any player who wants to make the most of themselves."
Chief Executive Nigel Howe added, "Bringing in players like Rowan is very important to Reading, and in the past few years it has been an exceptionally successful strategy for us.
"We have had excellent reports on Rowan’s ability, and just as importantly on his character. We like to create an environment in which players can reach their maximum potential, and I’d like to wish him the best of luck here."
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