Dean Bouzanis Signs On A Three Year Deal

29 June 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

After the arrival of goalkeeper Joe Lumley on loan from Middlesbrough last week, the Royals have added a further keeper. There now looks to be strong competition for the number one shirt.

Australian goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis has joined the Royals on a three year contract to keep him at the club until the summer of 2025. Bouzanis has been the first choice keeper for Sutton United after signing for them in the summer of 2020. His first season at the club saw them promoted to the football league, and last season his side finished a very respectable 8th place in League Two. Thirty-one year old Bouzanis has been first choice througout and clocked up 86 league appearances. He has played at various clubs in Australia but began his career as a trainee at Liverpool, going out on loan to Accrington, before signing for Oldham in 2011.

Will It Be A Royal Year For Ince As Lumley Settles In

29 June 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Having avoided relegation almost by the skin of our teeth in the 2021/22 Championship campaign, the coming season is going to be a big year for both Reading and manager Paul Ince.

The 54-year-old former Manchester United and England midfielder has experienced mixed fortunes since turning to management after hanging up his boots, but having moved to the Madejski Stadium at the end of February, Ince will be determined to improve on his current record of only four wins in 14 games and our success in the transfer market will have a big impact on his ability to do that.

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For those who dive right in at this time of year, having already drafted in his son, Tom Ince, from Stoke City following his short loan spell with us, and Australian goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, Middlesbrough loanee Joe Lumley is another fresh face in the squad and Royals fans will be hoping Lumley is simply the first of many before the summer transfer window slams shut.

With pre season already underway ahead of the coming campaign, it seems like 27-year-old Lumley is already settling in well, and with a week under his belt at Bearwood he cannot wait for the season to begin properly.

"It has been very good, met all the players, met all the staff and settled in straight away. Obviously it has been a tough few days being the first days of pre-season but I have enjoyed it. You want to be back training, knowing where you’ll be playing on the first day of pre-season so hopefully I can please the manager, the new goalkeeper coach and I can’t wait for the season. Reading wanted me and being wanted is a big thing in football...and I didn’t want to mess about. The reason I came here was to play games and do the best for the manager and the fans."

With new goalkeeping coach Tony Warner now in place, Lumley is also looking forward to working more with the former Liverpool, Millwall and Fulham shot stopper. Although their paths have not crossed previously in the professional game, Lumley's 'best friend' worked with him during his brief spell at Bristol Rovers, so with glowing recommendations already, Lumley feels like he is in safe hands for the year ahead and who knows what the future holds, maybe it is a case of home is where the heart is for the stopper.

"I have been doing a lot of work with the new goalkeeper coach Tony Warner; my best friend worked with Tony at Bristol Rovers as his goalie coach, and they got on really well which is very good to know as I feel I’ll get along with him too. He is very big on being brave and being forward in every shot. Sometimes as a goalkeeper, you’ve got to fight your instincts and be on the front foot to save the shots, because those saves could win you the match. The coaches work you hard in pre-season, but they praise you when you need to be praised and give you a dig when you need a dig - and that is exactly how I think it should be! Even though it’s only been a few days, you can tell straight away the lads are working as hard as they can for the manager and his coaching staff and you can’t really ask for anything more."

For now, it is all eyes to the upcoming pre season warm up games and a tasty tie against Benfica, before we hit the big kick off in August where we welcome Cardiff City to home soil and hopefully Ince's first three points of the year.

Andy Rinomhota Joins Cardiff City

24 June 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Cardiff City have confirmed they have picked up out of contract midfielder Andy Rinomhota. Reading were unable to match the contract demands of Rinomhota and unfortunately have been forced to let the player leave as his contract expires. Rinomhota signs a three year contract with Cardiff.

It is a huge shame to see such a talented player leave due to Reading's financial issues. Had we been able to afford it then it is highly likely we would have done more to keep hold of the player and Rinomhota would probably be keen to stay at Reading after emering from Reading's academy set-up in 2017. After signing professional terms at Reading he went on to become a first team regular with a couple of very impressive seasons. Last term opportunities were limited after picking up injuries but he leaves Reading with 125 league appearances to his name and four goals in all competitions.

New Reading FC Fixture List In Full

23 June 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading Start Season With Trip To Blackpool

23 June 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading will start the new 2022/2023 Championship season with an away trip to Blackpool on Saturday 30 July. The season kicks off early, in July, due to the winter world cup and sees the Royals play their first home match the following Saturday against Cardiff City. There is a gap in fixtures in the second part of November and early December.

The Royals are home on Boxing Day as Swansea City visit the Select Car Leasing Stadium. The last game of the season is a long away trip to Huddersfield Town on Saturday 6 May.

Fixture list in full published on the link below:

Reading FC 2022/2023 Season Fixtures

Laurent And Ince Swap Clubs

22 June 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading have been unable to retain the services of midfielder Josh Laurent who will now move to Stoke City on a free transfer as his contract expires. The club's financial position means they were unable to offer a suitable contract to Laurent who signs a three year deal with Stoke City instead. Contract negotiations continue to be difficult at Reading, as they club keep a close eye on the wage bill knowing that the League will be looking even closer. Laurent had two very impressive seasons at Reading, notching up 88 apprearances, and will be hugely missed.

However, the departure of Laurent means the club can afford to make Tom Ince's move permanent. Tom Ince, son of manager Paul Ince, also signs a three year contract after spending the end of last season on loan with the Royals. Ince made 15 appearances last season at Reading, scoring two goals, and should be a decent addition to a senior squad lacking depth next season. Ince has spent most of his career at Blackpool, Derby and Stoke but is no longer required at Stoke after they paid ten million pounds for his services four years ago.

Meanwhile goalkeeper Joe Lumley will join Reading for the 2022/2023 season on loan from Middlesbrough after spending most of last season as the club's number one. He will expect to be first choice at Reading.

There has also been good news on contract negotiations with Tom Holmes and Andy Yiadom - two vital players in the remaining squad - both signing new three year deals to keep them at Reading. Despite a large number of players out of the door, the first team squad is starting to take shape with the new season rapidly approaching.