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+----- Thread: Reading News (/showthread.php?tid=12450)
Reading News - themaclad - 21-06-2023
Reading have confirmed strikers George Puscas and Yakou Meite will both leave the club this summer.
Puscas, 27, has completed a permanent move to Serie A side Genoa for an undisclosed fee after spending last season on loan there.
Meanwhile, 27-year-old Meite has rejected a new contract offer following their relegation to League One.
The Ivory Coast international signed in 2016 and made 165 appearances for the Royals, scoring 47 goals.
Puscas played for Reading 90 times, scoring 20 goals after signing from Inter Milan in 2019.
The Romanian helped Genoa achieve promotion from Serie B as he scored four goals in 25 appearances.
He last featured for the Royals in January 2022 and spent the second half of that season on loan at Pisa.
Meite signed from Paris Saint-Germain but initially struggled to break into the first team, spending 2017-18 on loan at French side Sochaux.
The forward scored four goals last season after missing the majority of the 2021-2022 campaign due to a cruciate ligament injury.
RE: Reading News - themaclad - 27-06-2023
Reading have been served a winding-up petition by His Majesty's Revenue & Customs over unpaid tax bills, as the crisis at the club deepens.
The financially troubled League One club is already facing a string of charges handed down by the English Football League.
Last week the EFL added failing to pay taxes to its list of regulations the club has failed to comply with.
Reading were also charged with failure to pay players on time last season.
The club's owner Dai Yongge has also been charged with causing the club to be in breach of EFL regulation. He has until Thursday, 29 June to respond to the charge.
A winding-up petition is issued when a debt has been ignored for three weeks.
It can be resolved by payment of debt or by arrangement of a payment plan with the creditor, in this case HMRC.
In the worst case scenario, it can lead to a business going into administration.
It is the fourth time Reading have been issued with a winding-up petition, with the club avoiding total collapse on three previous occasions.
The BBC has contacted Reading for comment.
Prior to the club being charged by the EFL last week, Royals chief executive Dayong Pang posted a letter to fans where he said he was "confident" the club would "fully correct the mistakes that were made many years ago".
He added: "As a club, financially we continue to face a number of significant challenges and our owner, Mr Dai, is working very hard to resolve those issues to ensure the future of Reading Football Club is stable, successful, progressive and positive."
A collection of Reading fan groups, who call themselves Sell Before We Dai, recently demanded the club be sold.
RE: Reading News - themaclad - 29-06-2023
The leader of Reading Borough Council has written to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer to raise his concerns about the future of League One club Reading.
The Royals have been served a winding-up petition by His Majesty's Revenue & Customs over unpaid tax bills.
The financially troubled club already faces a series of charges handed down by the English Football League.
"Something needs to be done to resolve this worrying situation," councillor Jason Brock told BBC South Today.
"It is a club seriously in crisis and it's really worrying for the town."
Reading were docked six points towards the end of last season which contributed to their relegation from the Championship, meaning they will play in the third tier next season for the first time in 21 years.
The club has since been charged by the EFL with failing to pay their players on time and in full on three occasions last season.
Royals owner Dai Yongge was also charged with causing the club to be in breach of EFL regulations, with Reading and Dai both given until 16:00 BST on Thursday, 29 June to respond to the charges.
Last week the EFL added non-payment of tax to the list of reasons Reading are under a transfer embargo.
"Football clubs are always an important part of any community," Brock added.
"The fans are the life of the club and they are concerned, so I am concerned.
"So it was right that me and my fellow councillor Adele Barnett-Ward - who co-signed the letter raising this issue - write to the secretary of state.
"It is a period of profound uncertainty and I am really worried about the possibility that the current owners might look to asset-strip the club."
Council leader Brock said a mounting sense of frustration over the inactivity of Reading's owners during the crisis led him to write the letter.
"It is time for the government to step up but I think the professional game, both the English Football League and the Football Association, needs to ask some serious questions of itself as well," he said.
"At the end of the day this is about the fans and the community."
The BBC has contacted Reading for comment but they are yet to respond.
Prior to the club being charged by the EFL earlier this month, Reading chief executive Dayong Pang posted a letter to fans where he said he was "confident" the club would "fully correct the mistakes that were made many years ago".
He added: "As a club, financially we continue to face a number of significant challenges and our owner, Mr Dai, is working very hard to resolve those issues to ensure the future of Reading Football Club is stable, successful, progressive and positive."
Listen to BBC Radio Berkshire's Reading FC podcast
RE: Reading News - themaclad - 10-07-2023
League One Reading will appear in court on 9 August over an unpaid tax bill.
The club was served a winding-up petition, which is issued when a debt has been ignored for three weeks, by HMRC in June.
If the club pays-off outstanding debts to HMRC before they are due in court the case could be withdrawn or dismissed.
The financially troubled Royals have already faced charges handed down by the EFL.
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Since Reading were relegated from the Championship at the end of last season they have been charged by the English Football League on two counts.
One related to players not being paid on time and in full and the other charge was against the club's owner Dai Yongge for causing the club to be in breach of EFL regulations.
The winding-up petition over unpaid tax came from HMRC at the end of June.
The petition can can be resolved by payment of debt or by arrangement of a payment plan with the creditor, in this case HMRC.
In the worst case scenario, it can lead to a business going into administration.
It is the fourth time Reading have been issued with a winding-up petition, with the club avoiding total collapse on three previous occasions.
The BBC has contacted Reading and their owner Dai Yongge for a comment, but they are yet to respond.
Prior to the club being charged by the EFL, Royals chief executive Dayong Pang posted a letter to fans where he said he was "confident" the club would "fully correct the mistakes that were made many years ago".
He added: "As a club, financially we continue to face a number of significant challenges and our owner, Mr Dai, is working very hard to resolve those issues to ensure the future of Reading Football Club is stable, successful, progressive and positive."
RE: Reading News - themaclad - 13-07-2023
Reading have signed striker Harvey Knibbs from Cambridge United following the lifting of their transfer embargo.
The 24-year-old, who has signed a three-year deal, is the first arrival at the Royals since it was lifted.
"Harvey has been on our radar for some time now," head of football operations Mark Bowen told the club website.
"Young, quick, hungry, hard-working and with a natural creative spark, I am delighted he has agreed to be a part of what we are striving to achieve here."
Knibbs came through Aston Villa's academy and made more than 100 appearances for Cambridge over four seasons, scoring 26 goals.
He helped the U's gain promotion to League One in 2020-21.
Reading had their two-year transfer embargo for breaching the English Football League (EFL) financial rules lifted on Wednesday.
RE: Reading News - themaclad - 14-07-2023
Ruben Selles has been confirmed as manager of League One side Reading after having his work visa approved.
The former Southampton boss, 40, was appointed last month but had to wait for paperwork to be completed before he could start coaching the team.
Spaniard Selles flew back to the UK on Thursday before taking his first training session on Friday.
"The search for our manager was exhaustive, complex and undeniably challenging," said Mark Bowen.
Reading's head of football operations added: "It has taken longer than any of us wished or anticipated but it was imperative that we got the appointment of a new first team manager right.
"Having jumped this final hurdle, with all the visa documents now fully approved and ratified, I'm so pleased Ruben can now take the reins."
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Selles - the replacement for Paul Ince, who was sacked in April - took charge of Premier League side Southampton on two occasions in 2022-23, once as caretaker manager and again following the sacking of Nathan Jones.
But he only won two of his 17 matches at the helm as Saints finished bottom and were relegated to the Championship.
"Ruben is an ambitious man with an insatiable enthusiasm for football, a clear, conscientious and analytical approach to coaching and a determination and hunger to succeed," Bowen added.
"We all have to be aligned on a clear footballing philosophy at this club which can cascade down from the first team through the age groups of our academy, fully embracing our continued commitment to the development of our young players - Ruben has proven pedigree in implementing that philosophy."
Reading have had their long-standing transfer embargo lifted this week and signed former Cambridge United striker Harvey Knibbs on Thursday.
However, a collection of fans who are unhappy with Reading's ownership are still calling for the club to be sold.
Reading, who were relegated to League One last season, open their new campaign at home against Peterborough on 5 August.
RE: Reading News - themaclad - 17-07-2023
Former Reading striker Sam Smith has returned to the club after his deal with fellow League One side Cambridge United expired.
The 25-year-old, who came through the Royals academy, left two years ago following a series of loan spells.
He made more than 50 appearances for the U's in all competitions last season and scored 14 goals - including a hat-trick against Burton Albion.
He scored seven times in their last nine league fixtures.
"Sam has all the attributes we are seeking in a new recruit," Reading's head of football operations Mark Bowen told the club website.
"[He is] young and hungry for success, full of energy, power and explosive pace, a proven goalscoring record at this level and his roots are Royal.
"I can't wait to see how, during two years at Cambridge, he has matured into the player he is now and what sort of a striker he can become in the next three years, in blue and white hoops."
Smith is Reading's second signing since their long standing transfer embargo was lifted on 13 July.
The Royals kick off their League One campaign - their first in the third tier in more than two decades - at home to Peterborough on Saturday, 5 August.
RE: Reading News - themaclad - 20-07-2023
Defender Amadou Mbengue has signed a new two-year deal with League One club Reading.
The 21-year-old joined the Royals last September after leaving Metz.
A Senegal Under-23 international, he scored two goals in 28 appearances in all competitions last season.
"His unrelenting enthusiasm and eagerness to work and learn made him a real asset towards the culture we want to build," head of football operations Mark Bowen told the club website.
RE: Reading News - themaclad - 23-07-2023
Reading have signed midfielder Lewis Wing after his contract with fellow League One side Wycombe Wanderers expired.
The 28-year-old, who made 48 appearances and scored nine goals for the Chairboys last season, joins the Royals on a three-year deal.
"We are bringing in a hard-working player," head of football operations Mark Bowen told the club website.
"[Lewis] can provide moments of magic that can win football matches."
Wing signed his first professional deal with Middlesbrough in 2017 and had a loan spell with Yeovil in League Two, before establishing himself as a key player at the Riverside.
Selles urges Reading fans to get behind team
Over two and a half Championship seasons with Boro he racked up 101 appearances and scored 14 goals in all competitions.
The midfielder had loan spells with Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday before arriving at Wycombe in January 2022.
Bowen says Wing is the type of player Reading need both on and off the pitch: "He fits the mould of what we want at this club," he added.
"Naturally, he had other options, including Championship clubs, but we are delighted that he wants to be part of what we're building at Reading."
Wing becomes Reading manager Ruben Selles' third signing of the summer after the club had its long-standing transfer embargo lifted on 13 July.
Reading have signed Manchester United midfielder Charlie Savage on a four-year deal following their relegation from the Championship last season.
Savage, the son of ex-Wales midfielder Robbie, came through the academy set-up at Manchester United.
He made his debut in the Champions League against Young Boys in 2021 and played 15 games on loan with Forest Green Rovers in League One last season.
Head of football operations Mark Bowen said Savage, 20, has bags of "talent".
Bowen told the club's website: "Charlie is a young man who is already beginning to realise his potential and it will be exciting to see him continue to elevate his game."
RE: Reading News - themaclad - 05-08-2023
Reading have signed former Swansea City midfielder Tivonge Rushesha and defender Harlee Dean from Birmingham City.
Rushesha, a 21-year-old former Wales youth international, has agreed a one-year deal at the Royals with an option for an additional 12 months.
The free agent, who left the Swans earlier in the summer, had been on trial at Reading and had featured in a number of the club's pre-season friendlies.
His only first team game for Swansea came in an EFL Cup tie in 2019.
"Tivonge is a young man who has really impressed us during his trial, not just on the football pitch, but with his attitude," Reading's head of football operations Mark Bowen told the club website.
"He is extremely keen to learn, and always asks the right questions about how he can improve."
Dean joins on a two-year-deal having made 16 appearances for the Blues and scored one goal in the Championship last season.
The 32-year-old played in 200 games over six seasons for Birmingham and was named both supporters' and players' player of the year in 2020-21. He has been training with the Royals over the summer.
"Harlee brings many different qualities to Reading," Bowen added.
"He is another senior character and guiding voice in the dressing room, and he is a born leader with a track record of success.
"Most importantly, he is a hard-working, dependable footballer who loves the art of defending."
The financially troubled club had a transfer embargo lifted on Thursday.