retained list

[Brogue]

Following the culmination of the 2025/26 League One season earlier in the week, Reading Football Club can now confirm their retained list for Leam Richardson’s first-team.

OPTION ACTIVATED:

The club have activated one-year options to the following player’s contract, meaning they will be signed on with the Royals for a further season:

Jeriel Dorsett

CONTRACT OFFERED:

The following players are currently in talks regarding new contracts with the club that will see them extend their stay in RG2.

Kelvin Abrefa

Andy Rinomhota


RELEASED

The following players will depart the club upon the expiration of their contracts this summer. We would like to formally communicate our sincere thanks to all players for their commitment during their time with us.

Mamadi Camara:
Guinea-Bissau international Mamadi Camara joined the club back in 2020, originally linking up with the Academy, and went on to make 75 first-team appearances, scoring seven goals.


Ben Elliott:
A Chelsea youngster, Ben joined the club in the summer of 2023 and has developed into a fan’s favourite in the years since, departing with three goals in 79 appearances. While recovering from injury, the club will continue to support Ben with rehabilitation.


Michael Stickland:
A long-standing and well-respected Academy graduate, Michael made nearly 80 appearances for the Under-21s, captaining the side to Berks and Bucks Senior Cup success in 2024, before establishing himself in the first-team squad. The 22-year-old central defender departs with 22 appearances to his name.


Tivonge Rushesha:

Signed in 2023 from Swansea City, the versatile Zimbabwe international has made 38 appearances for the club.


Andy Yiadom:

A man who needs no introduction, Andy Yiadom departs as a club stalwart, with eight years’ service under his belt. A previous club captain, the full-back celebrated his 250th appearance earlier this season and sits 35th in total appearances in the club’s 155-year history.


END OF LOAN

We would like to thank all of our loan players for their commitment shown to the club ahead of their return to their parent clubs.

Finley Burns

Kamari Doyle

Mark O’Mahony

Will Keane

Ryan Nyambe

Kadan Young


UNDER CONTRACT

The following players remain under contract heading into the new season.

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan

Liam Fraser

Daniel Kyerewaa

Matt Ritchie

Charlie Savage

Jack Stevens

Derrick Williams

Randell Williams

Paddy Lane

Jack Marriott

Joel Pereira

Haydon Roberts

Lewis Wing

Paudie O’Connor

Benn Ward

[Pepe the Horseman]

Seems fairly sensible tbf. Shame Elliot never kicked on/stayed fit.

[Hound]

Yeah no major surprises, all fair enough

Pleased Abrefa and Rino been offered. Did think Abrefa might be out the door

Sad to see Yiadom go but right decision. Been a really good player for us, definitely one of my favourites of the last few years. Best of luck to him in the future

[Pepe the Horseman]

I feel like we've been activating one year extensions for Dorsett for the last 5 years.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Yeah no major surprises, all fair enough

Pleased Abrefa and Rino been offered. Did think Abrefa might be out the door

Be surprised if he signs unless Richardson leaves.

[linkenholtroyal]

Sensible retained list good luck Yids on whatever you do next.

So i would say with this we need about 5-7 new signings. Dependant on whether contracts get signed that are offered.
A centre forward
An ACM if we are staying with the current formation
A winger
A LB (depending on whether Robert’s is going to play there)
A RB aswell as Abrefa
A central midfielder aswell as Rinhomota. There is a bit of confusion regarding his situation but Dan Gore would not be a bad shout if he can stay fit and is a free agent as reported.

Which probably means we will get 5 centre backs and a goalkeeper.

[Hound]

Need so much imo.

At least 2 CFs. None of our current fit wingers are much good - DK seems to have been turned into a half decent wing back but can’t cross. So a proper winger as well. Lane and Ritchie should be moved on. R Williams decent if he can stay fit

A CAM

Don’t rate Fraser and Savage will prob go. So Rino plus another CM. Probably a right back whether KA signs or not

Ward/POC/Williams ok but depends on DW fitness. Maybe Kanu back otherwise prob another CB

Keeper is fine

And then additional squad players to cover

[Brogue]

Need so much imo.

At least 2 CFs. None of our current fit wingers are much good - DK seems to have been turned into a half decent wing back but can’t cross. So a proper winger as well. Lane and Ritchie should be moved on. R Williams decent if he can stay fit

A CAM

Don’t rate Fraser and Savage will prob go. So Rino plus another CM. Probably a right back whether KA signs or not

Ward/POC/Williams ok but depends on DW fitness. Maybe Kanu back otherwise prob another CB

Keeper is fine

And then additional squad players to cover

i can confirm savage has indeed gone...

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Need so much imo.

At least 2 CFs. None of our current fit wingers are much good - DK seems to have been turned into a half decent wing back but can’t cross. So a proper winger as well. Lane and Ritchie should be moved on. R Williams decent if he can stay fit

A CAM

Don’t rate Fraser and Savage will prob go. So Rino plus another CM. Probably a right back whether KA signs or not

Ward/POC/Williams ok but depends on DW fitness. Maybe Kanu back otherwise prob another CB

Keeper is fine

And then additional squad players to cover

i can confirm savage has indeed gone...

Where? He can't go anywhere until the window re-opens....highly unlikely the club would accept an offer in principle 3 days after he end of the season.

[West F]

Need so much imo.

At least 2 CFs. None of our current fit wingers are much good - DK seems to have been turned into a half decent wing back but can’t cross. So a proper winger as well. Lane and Ritchie should be moved on. R Williams decent if he can stay fit

A CAM

Don’t rate Fraser and Savage will prob go. So Rino plus another CM. Probably a right back whether KA signs or not

Ward/POC/Williams ok but depends on DW fitness. Maybe Kanu back otherwise prob another CB

Keeper is fine

And then additional squad players to cover

i can confirm savage has indeed gone...

…. On holiday.

[Brogue]

Need so much imo.

At least 2 CFs. None of our current fit wingers are much good - DK seems to have been turned into a half decent wing back but can’t cross. So a proper winger as well. Lane and Ritchie should be moved on. R Williams decent if he can stay fit

A CAM

Don’t rate Fraser and Savage will prob go. So Rino plus another CM. Probably a right back whether KA signs or not

Ward/POC/Williams ok but depends on DW fitness. Maybe Kanu back otherwise prob another CB

Keeper is fine

And then additional squad players to cover

i can confirm savage has indeed gone...

Where? He can't go anywhere until the window re-opens....highly unlikely the club would accept an offer in principle 3 days after he end of the season.

he's told the club he wants to go. He will be gone in the summer. He hasn't been injured for the last few games either, depite the club saying he was...

[katweslowski]

So are Wing and Savage both on a current contract and therefore (in theory) won't be going anywhere?

I know we're all wondering about Richardson, but it concerns me how he can build an upbeat, happy dressing room with a group who are united and motivated with all the rumours of fall outs.

Maybe it's the ones leaving who were unhappy, but my interpretation was that it was a first team/main player. Some people suggested Savage?

[traff]

Here is the pool of players we will potentially fishing in this summer.
• Will Keane
• Callum Lang
• Charlie Wyke
• Stephen Humphrys
• Josh Magennis
Midfielders / wide players
• Max Power
• James McClean
• Gavin Massey
• Gwion Edwards
• Tom Bayliss
Defenders / GK
• Jack Whatmough
• Curtis Tilt
• Tendayi Darikwa
• Tom Pearce
• Joe Bennett
• Ben Amos (goalkeeper)

[Orion1871]

You don't need to be itk to know Savage is off. His form since January when moves to the Championship were rejected could tell you that. He has a year left and it would be Dai levels of stupidity not to cash in now rather than let him leave for nothing next summer.

[Esteban]

Need so much imo.

At least 2 CFs. None of our current fit wingers are much good - DK seems to have been turned into a half decent wing back but can’t cross. So a proper winger as well. Lane and Ritchie should be moved on. R Williams decent if he can stay fit

A CAM

Don’t rate Fraser and Savage will prob go. So Rino plus another CM. Probably a right back whether KA signs or not

Ward/POC/Williams ok but depends on DW fitness. Maybe Kanu back otherwise prob another CB

Keeper is fine

And then additional squad players to cover

+1. Hound on the money, as per.

[Orion1871]

Need so much imo.

At least 2 CFs. None of our current fit wingers are much good - DK seems to have been turned into a half decent wing back but can’t cross. So a proper winger as well. Lane and Ritchie should be moved on. R Williams decent if he can stay fit

A CAM

Don’t rate Fraser and Savage will prob go. So Rino plus another CM. Probably a right back whether KA signs or not

Ward/POC/Williams ok but depends on DW fitness. Maybe Kanu back otherwise prob another CB

Keeper is fine

And then additional squad players to cover

+1. Hound on the money, as per.

Agreed.

We all get on much better without the Brain of Cambridge around.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Need so much imo.

At least 2 CFs. None of our current fit wingers are much good - DK seems to have been turned into a half decent wing back but can’t cross. So a proper winger as well. Lane and Ritchie should be moved on. R Williams decent if he can stay fit

A CAM

Don’t rate Fraser and Savage will prob go. So Rino plus another CM. Probably a right back whether KA signs or not

Ward/POC/Williams ok but depends on DW fitness. Maybe Kanu back otherwise prob another CB

Keeper is fine

And then additional squad players to cover

+1. Hound on the money, as per.

Agreed.

We all get on much better without the Brain of Cambridge around.

I miss him.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Ian, if you're listening to this at home on your radio, pls come back x

[Orion1871]

+1. Hound on the money, as per.

Agreed.

We all get on much better without the Brain of Cambridge around.

I miss him.

You would x

[stealthpapes]

Need so much imo.

At least 2 CFs. None of our current fit wingers are much good - DK seems to have been turned into a half decent wing back but can’t cross. So a proper winger as well. Lane and Ritchie should be moved on. R Williams decent if he can stay fit

A CAM

Don’t rate Fraser and Savage will prob go. So Rino plus another CM. Probably a right back whether KA signs or not

Ward/POC/Williams ok but depends on DW fitness. Maybe Kanu back otherwise prob another CB

Keeper is fine

And then additional squad players to cover

+1. Hound on the money, as per.

Agreed.

We all get on much better without the Brain of Cambridge around.

Harsh on Tabs.

While it’s, what, 5 players, maybe 6, it’s already much less of a rebuild.

Basically we’re replacing the loans. While I’m not against loans in principle, 100% let’s look longer term this summer. Use loans to get players we would otherwise be unable to get.

If Savage, Wing go, we get some money. Thanks, you shone in dark hours, best of luck for the future.