SQUADWATCH - Summer 2026

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Has Abrefa signed a new contract?

No.

I've realised I haven't put a colour key:

• Green - new signing
• Blue - contract extended
• Grey - first team player offered new contract, but hasn't signed
• Faded blue - youth team player offered new contract, but hasn't signed

I thought Sackey had signed?

[Clyde1998]

Has Abrefa signed a new contract?

No.

I've realised I haven't put a colour key:

• Green - new signing
• Blue - contract extended
• Grey - first team player offered new contract, but hasn't signed
• Faded blue - youth team player offered new contract, but hasn't signed

I thought Sackey had signed?

Has it been officially announced yet? I know people were talking about him accepting an offer, but I haven't seen anything to confirm it.

[Sutekh]

No.

I've realised I haven't put a colour key:

• Green - new signing
• Blue - contract extended
• Grey - first team player offered new contract, but hasn't signed
• Faded blue - youth team player offered new contract, but hasn't signed

I thought Sackey had signed?

Has it been officially announced yet? I know people were talking about him accepting an offer, but I haven't seen anything to confirm it.

Tyler Sackey has signed a new 3 year deal deal, no word on Kelvin Abrefa as yet.

As we’re all used to, there is zero information on the club OS about it despite it being confirmed by local journo Peter O’Rourke

[MR. CYNICAL]

The updated list is:

Goalkeepers

1. Joel Pereira - 3,870 league minutes
2. Jack Stevens - 270
3. Tom Norcott
4. Harrison Rhone
5. Matt Rowley
6. Josh Wellend

Right-Backs

1. Kelvin Abrefa - 1,135
2. Ashqar Ahmed - 551
3. Emmanuel Osho - 17
4. Boyd Beacroft

Left-Backs

1. Haydon Roberts - 770
2. John Ryan

Centre-Backs

1. Paudie O’Connor - 3,214
2. Jeriel Dorsett - 2,845
3. Benn Ward - 633
4. Phil Duah
5. Sam Harrison
6. Abraham Kanu

Central Midfielders

1. Lewis Wing - 4,076
2. Charlie Savage - 3,479
3. Liam Fraser - 1,667
4. Andy Rinomhota - 117
5. Luke Howard - 3
6. Carter Bowdery
7. David Hicks
8. Tyler Sackey
9. Shay Spencer

Wingers

1. Daniel Kyerewaa - 2,535
2. Paddy Lane - 1,871
3. Randell Williams - 987
4. Kyreece Lisbie - 2,863 (L2)
5. Joe Barough
6. Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith
7. Jerae Jones

Strikers

1. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan - 2,240
2. Jack Marriott - 1,770
3. Sean Patton - 125
4. Reece Evans

As it stands a first team of:

Pereira

Abrefa O'Connor Ward Roberts

Fraser Wing Rinhomota

Lisbie Marriot Kyerewaa

Subs: Stevens, Dorsett, Ahmed, Sackey, Kelvin.E ,R. Williams, Lane

That actually isn't to bad of a team and i would expect that team to comfortably hold their own in middle table area. I think a powerful midfielder with some speed would be a good option. A right back maybe however i would be happy with Abrefa and Ahmed but feel Ahmed would benefit from a season out on loan. I'm torn up front as Kelvin.E really hasn't found his true position and i'm really hoping Patton has a breakout season. Maybe another CB now that Williams has hung up his boots.
The squad is much more streamlined now with a fair few of the high earners moved on! A couple of shrewd signings to add to the squad and we may get the dark horse tag! Its a stronger league this season and we will do well break into the play off group. If Leam can make the promise of more entertaining football a reality then you never know. What we don't want is a tough start again and end up chasing shadows.
PS i left Savage out as i believe he will be gone soon.

Apart from Lisbie and Rhino, that line up is not much different to last season.
It will take more than a couple of additions to turn us around I reckon.

[MR. CYNICAL]

Richardson and more entertaining football is something I'm not confident of to be fair.

[Stranded]

Richardson and more entertaining football is something I'm not confident of to be fair.

You would hope that a young, potentially exciting winger will only have joined the club over other suitors if he had been convinced by LR that there will a focus on wing play this season. This may of course involve the team just trying to get the ball out to the wingers as quickly as possible via long(ish) balls, but we'll see.

[Hound]

The updated list is:

Goalkeepers

1. Joel Pereira - 3,870 league minutes
2. Jack Stevens - 270
3. Tom Norcott
4. Harrison Rhone
5. Matt Rowley
6. Josh Wellend

Right-Backs

1. Kelvin Abrefa - 1,135
2. Ashqar Ahmed - 551
3. Emmanuel Osho - 17
4. Boyd Beacroft

Left-Backs

1. Haydon Roberts - 770
2. John Ryan

Centre-Backs

1. Paudie O’Connor - 3,214
2. Jeriel Dorsett - 2,845
3. Benn Ward - 633
4. Phil Duah
5. Sam Harrison
6. Abraham Kanu

Central Midfielders

1. Lewis Wing - 4,076
2. Charlie Savage - 3,479
3. Liam Fraser - 1,667
4. Andy Rinomhota - 117
5. Luke Howard - 3
6. Carter Bowdery
7. David Hicks
8. Tyler Sackey
9. Shay Spencer

Wingers

1. Daniel Kyerewaa - 2,535
2. Paddy Lane - 1,871
3. Randell Williams - 987
4. Kyreece Lisbie - 2,863 (L2)
5. Joe Barough
6. Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith
7. Jerae Jones

Strikers

1. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan - 2,240
2. Jack Marriott - 1,770
3. Sean Patton - 125
4. Reece Evans

As it stands a first team of:

Pereira

Abrefa O'Connor Ward Roberts

Fraser Wing Rinhomota

Lisbie Marriot Kyerewaa

Subs: Stevens, Dorsett, Ahmed, Sackey, Kelvin.E ,R. Williams, Lane

That actually isn't to bad of a team and i would expect that team to comfortably hold their own in middle table area. I think a powerful midfielder with some speed would be a good option. A right back maybe however i would be happy with Abrefa and Ahmed but feel Ahmed would benefit from a season out on loan. I'm torn up front as Kelvin.E really hasn't found his true position and i'm really hoping Patton has a breakout season. Maybe another CB now that Williams has hung up his boots.
The squad is much more streamlined now with a fair few of the high earners moved on! A couple of shrewd signings to add to the squad and we may get the dark horse tag! Its a stronger league this season and we will do well break into the play off group. If Leam can make the promise of more entertaining football a reality then you never know. What we don't want is a tough start again and end up chasing shadows.
PS i left Savage out as i believe he will be gone soon.

Apart from Lisbie and Rhino, that line up is not much different to last season.
It will take more than a couple of additions to turn us around I reckon.

It’s solid enough but I wouldn’t expect it to trouble the top 6

Would be disappointed to see Fraser start, probably DK as well. Would want a stronger and fitter CF than Marriott as well with him and DK on the bench or at least coming off on the hour most games. Randell could prob start though in place of DK

So for me still need a CF, a CM and maybe a CB of good quality

[MR. CYNICAL]

As it stands a first team of:

Pereira

Abrefa O'Connor Ward Roberts

Fraser Wing Rinhomota

Lisbie Marriot Kyerewaa

Subs: Stevens, Dorsett, Ahmed, Sackey, Kelvin.E ,R. Williams, Lane

That actually isn't to bad of a team and i would expect that team to comfortably hold their own in middle table area. I think a powerful midfielder with some speed would be a good option. A right back maybe however i would be happy with Abrefa and Ahmed but feel Ahmed would benefit from a season out on loan. I'm torn up front as Kelvin.E really hasn't found his true position and i'm really hoping Patton has a breakout season. Maybe another CB now that Williams has hung up his boots.
The squad is much more streamlined now with a fair few of the high earners moved on! A couple of shrewd signings to add to the squad and we may get the dark horse tag! Its a stronger league this season and we will do well break into the play off group. If Leam can make the promise of more entertaining football a reality then you never know. What we don't want is a tough start again and end up chasing shadows.
PS i left Savage out as i believe he will be gone soon.

Apart from Lisbie and Rhino, that line up is not much different to last season.
It will take more than a couple of additions to turn us around I reckon.

It’s solid enough but I wouldn’t expect it to trouble the top 6

Would be disappointed to see Fraser start, probably DK as well. Would want a stronger and fitter CF than Marriott as well with him and DK on the bench or at least coming off on the hour most games. Randell could prob start though in place of DK

So for me still need a CF, a CM and maybe a CB of good quality

Fitness will be a key issue. Not been a good couple of seasons with injuries. At least half of that line up suffered long spells on the side lines last season.

[stealthpapes]

The updated list is:

Goalkeepers

1. Joel Pereira - 3,870 league minutes
2. Jack Stevens - 270
3. Tom Norcott
4. Harrison Rhone
5. Matt Rowley
6. Josh Wellend

Right-Backs

1. Kelvin Abrefa - 1,135
2. Ashqar Ahmed - 551
3. Emmanuel Osho - 17
4. Boyd Beacroft

Left-Backs

1. Haydon Roberts - 770
2. John Ryan

Centre-Backs

1. Paudie O’Connor - 3,214
2. Jeriel Dorsett - 2,845
3. Benn Ward - 633
4. Phil Duah
5. Sam Harrison
6. Abraham Kanu

Central Midfielders

1. Lewis Wing - 4,076
2. Charlie Savage - 3,479
3. Liam Fraser - 1,667
4. Andy Rinomhota - 117
5. Luke Howard - 3
6. Carter Bowdery
7. David Hicks
8. Tyler Sackey
9. Shay Spencer

Wingers

1. Daniel Kyerewaa - 2,535
2. Paddy Lane - 1,871
3. Randell Williams - 987
4. Kyreece Lisbie - 2,863 (L2)
5. Joe Barough
6. Kiyan Coke-Miles-Smith
7. Jerae Jones

Strikers

1. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan - 2,240
2. Jack Marriott - 1,770
3. Sean Patton - 125
4. Reece Evans

As it stands a first team of:

Pereira

Abrefa O'Connor Ward Roberts

Fraser Wing Rinhomota

Lisbie Marriot Kyerewaa

Subs: Stevens, Dorsett, Ahmed, Sackey, Kelvin.E ,R. Williams, Lane

That actually isn't to bad of a team and i would expect that team to comfortably hold their own in middle table area. I think a powerful midfielder with some speed would be a good option. A right back maybe however i would be happy with Abrefa and Ahmed but feel Ahmed would benefit from a season out on loan. I'm torn up front as Kelvin.E really hasn't found his true position and i'm really hoping Patton has a breakout season. Maybe another CB now that Williams has hung up his boots.
The squad is much more streamlined now with a fair few of the high earners moved on! A couple of shrewd signings to add to the squad and we may get the dark horse tag! Its a stronger league this season and we will do well break into the play off group. If Leam can make the promise of more entertaining football a reality then you never know. What we don't want is a tough start again and end up chasing shadows.
PS i left Savage out as i believe he will be gone soon.

Apart from Lisbie and Rhino, that line up is not much different to last season.
It will take more than a couple of additions to turn us around I reckon.

Agree, first team able to compete in/around playoffs, not so sure on strength in depth.

One injury in defence really weakens the side.

[stealthpapes]

So my list remains

Three defenders, at least one a centre back and one more flexible

Two attacking midfielders, maybe not wingers but looking for pace and flexibility

One striker

[Sutekh]

So my list remains

Three defenders, at least one a centre back and one more flexible

Two attacking midfielders, maybe not wingers but looking for pace and flexibility

One striker

…and a Phil Parkinson.

[From Despair To Where?]

As it stands a first team of:

Pereira

Abrefa O'Connor Ward Roberts

Fraser Wing Rinhomota

Lisbie Marriot Kyerewaa

Subs: Stevens, Dorsett, Ahmed, Sackey, Kelvin.E ,R. Williams, Lane

That actually isn't to bad of a team and i would expect that team to comfortably hold their own in middle table area. I think a powerful midfielder with some speed would be a good option. A right back maybe however i would be happy with Abrefa and Ahmed but feel Ahmed would benefit from a season out on loan. I'm torn up front as Kelvin.E really hasn't found his true position and i'm really hoping Patton has a breakout season. Maybe another CB now that Williams has hung up his boots.
The squad is much more streamlined now with a fair few of the high earners moved on! A couple of shrewd signings to add to the squad and we may get the dark horse tag! Its a stronger league this season and we will do well break into the play off group. If Leam can make the promise of more entertaining football a reality then you never know. What we don't want is a tough start again and end up chasing shadows.
PS i left Savage out as i believe he will be gone soon.

Apart from Lisbie and Rhino, that line up is not much different to last season.
It will take more than a couple of additions to turn us around I reckon.

It’s solid enough but I wouldn’t expect it to trouble the top 6

Would be disappointed to see Fraser start, probably DK as well. Would want a stronger and fitter CF than Marriott as well with him and DK on the bench or at least coming off on the hour most games. Randell could prob start though in place of DK

So for me still need a CF, a CM and maybe a CB of good quality

With Williams retiring, although Roberts can play there, we definitely need another CB

[6ft Kerplunk]

Was Williams retiring expected by anyone?

[Sutekh]

Was Williams retiring expected by anyone?

Might have been known by the club beforehand but no mention of the possibility of it in media so “no”.

[Stranded]

Was Williams retiring expected by anyone?

Not outside the club but at 33 and only managing 9 apps since Xmas, it is not a surprising development.

[Wycombe Royal]

Has Abrefa signed a new contract?

No.

Yes

[Clyde1998]

Has Abrefa signed a new contract?

No.

Yes

I mean, now he has

Reading Football Club are delighted to confirm that Kelvin Abrefa has signed a new two-year contract with the Royals, keeping him at the Select Car Leasing Stadium until the summer of 2028.

An Academy graduate who has been around the first-team squad since he was a teenager, Abrefa has enjoyed two strong seasons in League One.

The former Ghana youth international grew up just minutes away from our home in RG2 and has made more than 80 appearances, including 27 during the 2025/26 campaign, and scored twice.

Triggering an extension for the new campaign, Kelvin is raring to go in the new season.

First Team Manager Leam Richardson said: "We are very happy to see Kelvin commit his future to us here at Reading Football Club.

"Having risen through the ranks, he knows what it takes, and what it means, to represent Reading Football Club.

"He is an extremely hard worker and someone who brings energy to the group both on and off the pitch.

"We are delighted that he has chosen to continue to be a part of what we are building here."

[Pepe the Horseman]

Surprised by this considering it loooked like LR froze him out. Was he just injured the whole time?

[Hound]

I’m confused by the wording as what ‘triggered’ an extension. It reads like Abrefa triggered it in some way - wonder if it was based on appearances made - if so would make sense why LR froze him out for a while

[Sutekh]

Great news, hope he can kick on and get that chance establish himself as a thoroughly excellent right back.