2023–24 Reading F.C. season

At the end of the previous season, Reading announced an update on out of contract players for the upcoming season. Scott Dann, Luke Southwood, Shane Long, Liam Moore, Lucas Joao and Dejan Tetek all departed the club at the end of June, whilst Nesta Guinness-Walker had a clause activated in his contract that saw him retained for the current season. Additionally, Yakou Méïté, Amadou Mbengue and Junior Hoilett were all offered new contracts. From the U21 squad, Coniah Boyce-Clarke was offered a three-year contract, and John Clarke a one-year contract. Whist Hamid Abdel-Salam, Adrian Akande, Harvey Collins, Matt Rowley and Michael Stickland all had clauses in their contracts triggered for the 2023–24 season. Matthew Carson and Jeriel Dorsett where also offered new contracts. Lui Bradbury, Ethan Burnett, Josh Green, Nahum Melvin-Lambert, Kian Leavy, Claudio Osorio and Rashawn Scott all left the clubs U21 ranks at the end of their contract. Reading offered first professional contracts to Harvey Maudner, Jacob Borgnis, Tom Norcott, Caylan Vickers, Jeremiah Okine-Peters and Basil Tuma, whilst David Nyarko, Ryley Campbell, Kyle Daniel-Spray, Harrison Furlong, Louis Hutchings, Troy Murray, Zion Nditi and Aston Greaver all left the club.[1]

On 18 May, Reading announced their first pre-season friendlies of the season, an away trip to Bristol City, to be played behind closed-doors at the Robins High Performance Centre on 12 July, followed by an away trip to Sutton United on 15 July.[2]

On 31 May, Reading announced another two pre-season friendlies, a behind closed-doors match against Queens Park Rangers on 25 July, followed by a match against Swansea City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on 29 July.[3]

On 11 June, Qatar Stars League club Al-Markhiya announced the signing of Naby Sarr.[4]

On 16 June 2023, Reading were charged by the EFL with failing to pay their players on time and in full, in October and November 2022, and April 2023,[5] and, later, with non-payment of taxes.[6] If the charges are proven, Reading will start the 2023–24 League One season with points already deducted.[7]

On 21 June, with the opening of the Transfer Window, Reading confirmed that George Pușcaș had left the club join Genoa for an undisclosed fee, paid to the club in instalments and that Yakou Méïté had turned down a new contract with the club.[8][9] Later the same day, Reading where drawn into Group G of the EFL Trophy alongside Exeter City and Swindon Town with Arsenal U21 being announced as the final group team the following day.[10][11]

On 22 June, the EFL League One fixtures where released, with Reading opening their account his a home fixture against Peterborough United and ending the season by hosting Blackpool.[12] Reading where also drawn away to Millwall in the First Round of the EFL Cup.[13]

On 26 June, Reading announced the appointment of Rubén Sellés as their new new First Team Manager subject to a successful work visa application.[14]

On 27 June, Reading confirmed that Tom Ince had left the club to sign for Watford for an undisclosed fee.[15]

On 1 July, Reading announced that they had signed new contracts with John Clarke, Matthew Carson and Hamid Abdel Salam, and that scholars Tom Norcott, Caylan Vickers, Harvey Maudner, Jeremiah Okine-Peters, Basil Tuma and Jacob Hammond-Chambers-Borgnis had all signed their first professional contract with the club.[16]

On 11 July, Reading confirmed that their Academy had been reassigned as a Category One academy a year after the status had been downgraded to Category Two, meaning their Under 21s would once again play in Premier League 2.[17] Later the same day, Jeriel Dorsett signed a new one-year contract with the club, until the summer of 2024, whilst Geneiro Maragh joined the U21 team on a similar deal.[18]

On 13 July, Reading announced the signing of Harvey Knibbs on a free-transfer to a three-year contract.[19]

On 14 July, Reading confirmed the appointment of Rubén Sellés as the clubs First Team Manager after his Visa application was successful.[20]

On 17 July, Reading announced the return of Sam Smith on a free-transfer to a three-year contract two-year after he'd left the club.[21]

On 19 July, Reading announced that Amadou Mbengue had signed a new two-year contract with the club.[22]

On 21 July, Reading announced the signing of Lewis Wing to a three-year contract, after he'd left Wycombe Wanderers at the end of the previous season.[23] The following day, following Readings 4-2 defeat to Southampton, Reading announced the signing of Charlie Savage to a four-year contract from Manchester United.[24]

On 27 July, Louie Holzman joined League of Ireland Premier Division club Bohemian on loan until the end of their league season.[25]

On 4 August, Reading announced the signing of Tivonge Rushesha to a one-year contract, and the signing of Harlee Dean to a two-year contract.[26][27]

On 7 August, Reading announced the signing of Tyler Bindon to a two-year contract from Los Angeles FC.[28]

On 9 August, Reading announced the signing of David Button, who'd left West Bromwich Albion the previous day, to a two-year contract.[29] The following day, 10 August, Jökull Andrésson extended his contract with Reading until the summer of 2025 and joined Carlisle United on loan for the season,[30] whilst Coniah Boyce-Clarke also signed a new two-year contract with the club having been on a week-to-week contract since his previous contract expired at the end of the previous season.[31]

On 15 August, Reading announced the signing of Ben Elliott from Chelsea, to a three-year contract.[32]

On 16 August, Reading were docked one point by the EFL for failing to pay their players on time on three separate occasions during the 2022–23 season, with a further three points suspended until the end of the season. Later the same day, Reading announced the season-long loan signing of Paul Mukairu from Copenhagen.[33][34]

On 31 August, Andy Carroll triggered a release clause in his contract to terminate his deal with Reading with immediate effect.[35]

On 1 September, transfer deadline day, Dean Bouzanis re-joined Sutton United on loan until January 2024,[36] whilst Jack Senga also joined Ayr United on a loan until January.[37] Also on 1 September, Reading announced the singings of John Ryan, Charlie Wellens, Billie Clark and Jayden Wareham to their U21 squad for the season,[38] that Dom Ballard had joined the club on loan for the season from Southampton with Thierry Rohart-Brown going in the opposite direction for an undisclosed fee,[39] and the signing of Clinton Mola to a one-year contract.[40]

On 9 September, Reading announced the signing of free-agent Joel Pereira to a one-year contract with the option of a further year.[41]

On 13 September, Reading triggered their suspended three-point penalty and were deducted three points by the EFL after owner Dai Yongge failed to deposit 125% of the club's monthly wage bill into a designated account by Tuesday 12 September 2023, as ordered by the Independent Disciplinary Commission on 15 August 2023.[42][43]

On 23 October, Reading announced that their academy had signed a partnership with League of Ireland First Division club Wexford that will see coaches and potential academy players spending time at the club.[44]

Reading were drawn at home to Milton Keynes Dons in the first round.[80]

Reading were drawn away to Millwall in the first round[13] and at home to Ipswich Town in the second round.[81]

Millwall v Reading

8 August 2023 First Round	Millwall	0–4	Reading	Bermondsey
19:45 BST (UTC+1)	Leonard  25' Saville  62' Evans  85' Bryan  86'	Report	Ehibhatiomhan 1', 51' Knibbs  10' Camara  19' 88' Rushesha  39' Carson  53' Savage 67'	Stadium: The Den Attendance: 4,738 Referee: Leigh Doughty

Reading v Ipswich Town

29 August 2023 Second round	Reading	2–2 (1–3 p)	Ipswich Town	Reading
20:00 BST (UTC+1)	Williams 2' (o.g.) Craig  76' Ehibhatiomhan 87' McIntyre  90+6'	Report	Evans  39' Humphreys  41' 45+5' Ladapo 59' Edmundson  87'	Stadium: Select Car Leasing Stadium Attendance: 7,867 Referee: Lewis Smith
	Penalties
	Knibbs Savage Vickers Elliott		Chaplin Evans Aluko Taylor

In the group stage, Reading were drawn into Southern Group G alongside Exeter City, Swindon Town and Arsenal U21.[10][11]

Place	Position	Nation	Number	Name	League One	FA Cup	League Cup	League Trophy	Total
1	GK		1	David Button	3	0	0	1	4
2	GK		31	Coniah Boyce-Clarke	0	0	1	1	2
3	GK		61	Tom Norcott	0	0	0	1	1
Total					3	0	1	2	6

David Button & Tom Norcott both played in Reading's 5-0 victory over Swindon Town on 10 October 2023