Highlights from the Reading Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in Berkshire, Reading FC runs a category 1 academy
- Under 18 Head Coach: Harrison Gilkes
- Under-21 Head Coach: Peter Scott
Reading FC Retained List 2025
View the complete list of Reading FC players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
Reading Academy Players On Loan 2025/26
Young players on loan who came through the academy.
- Abraham Kanu (Defender) Forest Green Rovers
- Tom Norcott (Goalkeeper) Woking FC; Enfield Town
- Jacob Borgnis (Midfielder) Slough Town
- Basil Tuma (Forward) Slough Town
- Michael Stickland (Defender) Farnborough
- Matthew Rowley (Goalkeeper) Hampton & Richmond; Tonbridge Angels
- Ashqar Ahmed (Defender) Forest Green Rovers
- Boyd Beacroft (Defender) Farnborough
- Sean Patton (Forward) Aldershot Town
- Jeremiah Okine-Peters (Forward) Uxbridge
- Shay Spencer (Midfielder) Wealdstone
- Jay Williams (Defender) Dorchester Town
- Josh Wellend (Goalkeeper) Beaconsfield Town
- Joe Barough (Midfielder) Basingstoke Town
- Miles Obodo (Forward) Chichester City
- Harrison Rhone (Goalkeeper) Brackley Town
Reading FC Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26
- Michael Stickland (Defender) #22
- John Ryan (Defender) #36
- Ashqar Ahmed (Defender) #39
- Andre Garcia (Defender) #19
- Matt Rowley (Goalkeeper) #48
- Phillip Duah (Defender) #38
- Tyler Sackey (Midfielder) #44
- Reece Evans (Forward) #55
- Sean Patton (Forward) #57
- Jeremiah Okine-Peters (Forward) #43
- Shay Spencer (Midfielder) #47
- Jacob Borgnis (Midfielder) #46
Reading Academy Competitions
U18 Premier League
The league divides teams into North and South groups for the U18s, calling it the U18 Premier League.
Reading Under-18 play in the South League
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
U17 and U18 Premier League Cup
In 2017, the Premier League introduced the U18 Premier League Cup and the U16 Premier League Cup, renaming the latter to the U17 Premier League Cup in 2020 for their respective age groups.
The seven group winners, along with the best runner-up determined by total points, goal difference, and then head-to-head record, will progress to the quarterfinals.
U17 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Reading U17 are drawn in Group H against under 17 teams from Swansea, West Brom and Wolves.
- Reading U17 lost at home against West Brom U17 (4 – 6)
- Reading U17 won away against Wolves U17 (0 – 3)
- Reading U17 won at home against Swansea City U17 (2 – 1)
U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Reading U18 are drawn in Group H against under 18 teams from Derby County, Burnley and Tottenham.
- Reading U18 drew away against Tottenham U18 (2 – 2)
- Ainsley Covus (2)
- Reading U18 drew at home against Derby County U18 (2 – 2)
- Larry Omoregie
- Jubilee Netgee
- Reading U18 won at home against Burnley U18 (5 – 0)
FA Youth Cup
First Round Proper
Reading U18 have been drawn at home against Bracknell Town U18
- Reading U18 won at home against Bracknell Town U18 (3 – 0)
- Kallum Fuller-Thompson (2)
- Jubilee Netgee
Second Round Proper
Reading U18 have been drawn at home against Cheltenham Town U18
- Reading U18 won at home against Cheltenham Town U18 (2 – 2) (4 – 3 on Pens)
- Kallum Fuller-Thompson
- Callum Cliff
Third Round Proper
Reading U18 have been drawn at home against Middlesbrough U18
- Reading U18 won at home against Middlesbrough U18 (2 – 2) (7 – 6 after Pens)
Premier League 2
Starting from the 2023 season, all Category 1 teams compete in a single league using the Swiss-style format.
There are a total of 29 clubs competing in the 2025/26 season.
Entry into or removal from this league depends on meeting the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
U21 Premier League Cup
The Premier League Cup was introduced in the 2013/14 season to enhance competition during the Professional Development Phase.
It added a knockout tournament alongside the regular league schedule. For the 2025/26 season, the format features nine groups.
The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the knockout stage, along with the seven best second-placed teams.
U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Reading U21 are drawn in Group A against under 21 teams from Birmingham City, Hull City and AFC Bournemouth
- Reading U21 won at home against AFC Bournemouth U21 (2 – 1)
- Jeremiah Okine-Peters
- Philip Duahwon
- Reading U21 won away against Birmingham City U21 (0 – 3)
- Sean Patton
- David Hicks (2)
- Reading U21 won away against Hull City U21 (0 – 2)
- Jeremiah Okine-Peters
- Charlie Leach (OG)
- Reading U21 won at home against Birmingham City U21 (2 – 0)
- Sean Patton
- David Hicks
- Reading U21 won at home against Hull City U21 (1 – 0
- Ed Devine (OG)
- Reading U21 lost away against Bournemouth U21 (2 – 0)
Round of 16
- Reading U21 won at home against Stoke City U21 (5 – 0)
- Mamadi Camara
- Emmanuel Osho
- Kiyan Smith
- Joshua McWilliams (OG)
- Philip Duah
Quarter Final
- Reading U21 lost away against Blackburn Rovers U21 (3 – 1)
- Philip Duah
Berks and Bucks Senior Cup
Reading U21 have received a bye in the Third Round
Quarter Final
Reading U21 won away against Maidenhead United (1 – 5)
Semi Final
Reading U21 lost away against Hungerford Town (4 – 3)
Reading FC Academy News
24th June 2025
Both John Clarke and John Ryan have signed new one-year contracts with Reading FC, extending their time with the Royals until 2026.
Michael Stickland has signed a new one-year deal, also extending his stay with the Royals until 2026.
2nd July 2025
Reading FC confirm the signing of nine young players who will remain with the Royals for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign.
- Ashqar Ahmed
- Jacob Borgnis
- Carter Bowdery
- Philip Duah
- Sam Harrison
- Abraham Kanu
- Shay Spencer
- Basil Tuma
- Josh Welland
4th July 2025
Jeremiah Okine-Peters and Luke Howard have agreed new contracts that will keep them at the Royals for another year.
24th July 2025
22-year-old forward Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan has signed a new two-year deal, extending his time at the Select Car Leasing Stadium ahead of the 2025/26 campaign
5th August 2025
Miles Obodo, a recent scholar at Swindon Town, David Hicks, formerly of Stevenage, and Reece Evans, previously on the books at Queen’s Park in Scotland, have all signed to strengthen Peter Scott’s Under-21 squad at Reading FC.
1st September 2025
Reading FC have signed 19-year-old striker Sean Patton from Derry City on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.
Patton joins after impressing on trial during the Royals’ pre-season trip to Fota Island.
4th November 2025
Reading U18s will host Cheltenham Town in the FA Youth Cup second round proper on Wednesday, November 12th, with kick-off at 7:00 pm.
12th November 2025
Reading U18s advanced to the third round of the FA Youth Cup with 2 – 2 draw and a 4 – 3 win victory at home against Cheltenham Town U18s.
20th November 2025
Reading U18s will host Middlesbrough U18 in the FA Youth Cup third round proper on Wednesday, December 3rd, at the Select Car Leasing Stadium with kick-off at 7.00 pm.
1st February 2026
Reading FC academy prospect Andre Garcia has departed the club to complete a move to Club Brugge.
The 18-year-old left-back joins the Belgian side on a deal running until 2029, for an undisclosed fee.
17th March 2026
Shay Spencer’s loan with Wealdstone has been extended until the end of the season.