Reading signed 12 players in the summer transfer window before the 2025/26 season, but how have each of them fared? And who has made the biggest impact since making the move to RG2 ?
12. Matty Jacob
Jacob was an automatic last place in this ranking for summer signings – this is due to the fact that he’s no longer at the club.
Jacob struggled to make an impact in games early in the season under Noel Hunt, before injury limited his availability when Leam Richardson came in, leading to the Royals deciding to terminate
his loan and send him back to Hull City, having featured only 16 times.
11. Mark O’Mahony
O’Mahony is next in my rankings, yet another unsuccessful loan. The Irishman is still at the club, unlike Jacob, but has not featured since the December 29 when he came off the bench to play 14 minutes in a 1-1 draw away to Peterborough United.
The 22-year-old has recently undergone surgery which will see him out for the remainder of the season, having played 21 games for the Royals and scored two goals: one in the Vertu Trophy and the other in the FA Cup.
10. Jack Stevens
Stevens has played 10 games so far in his Reading career, mainly in the cups, but he did fill in for Joel Pereira while the usual number one was sidelined with injury.
Stevens’ most notable moment in a Reading shirt so far was conceding a 30-yard free-kick after setting up without a wall, just days after Michael Owen suggested goalkeepers do not need walls for free-kicks from 30 yards out or further.
I didn’t feel I could put Stevens any higher up this list due to him coming in mainly to support Pereira in training and to act as understudy.
9. Finley Burns
The Manchester City loanee got off to a rocky start in RG2, scoring an own goal on his full debut away to Lincoln City. Despite that, Burns has gone on to feature 28 times in blue and white.
He’s been an inconsistent figure at Reading, which has led to Richardson trusting others, limiting Burns to cameos off the bench.
8.Paddy Lane
When Lane was signed from Portsmouth, the fans were optimistic, with many recalling the performance Lane gave against Reading at Fratton Park in the 2023/24 season where he scored as Portsmouth dismantled the Royals 4-1 en route to the League One title.
Lane got off to the perfect start in Royal blue, scoring a fantastic goal in a 1-0 win over Port Vale, but since that game he’s scored just once more. Lane has played 31 times in all competitions so far this season.
The 25-year-old has seen an upturn in form in recent weeks but has struggled for output since moving to RG2, leading to him being eighth in my rankings.
7. Liam Fraser
The former Crawley Town midfielder has been a good foil to the side when he’s featured. Being a good alternative to the energetic Charlie Savage, Fraser opts to sit in the six role and allows his midfield partners to press and push on in possession, giving Richardson a different option to others.
Despite some criticism online, Fraser has impressed when coming into the side, seeing him play 32 times so far in his debut season, scoring twice. That included a sensational strike against AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup.
6. Daniel Kyerewaa
Kyerewaa came to Berkshire as an unknown, joining from German second-division side Preussen Munster, but had been out injured since late January, before returning in the Wigan Athletic game. The Schalke academy graduate has played 32 times so far this season, scoring three and assisting three.
Kyerewaa is a player that gets fans off their seats, always being willing to run at a defender and try to beat them. He is still a raw talent, but Richardson looks to be a fan of the pacy winger and will be looking to mould Kyerewaa into a more prolific attacker.
The German excites fans but his goal output leaves more to be desired, which is why I only have him in sixth. Despite this, I’m optimistic Kyerewaa will be a successful signing for the Royals if he can continue to develop.
5. Matt Ritchie
Ritchie may now be in the twilight of his career, but his experience and leadership have been invaluable to the Royals. Reading have seen this countless times when he has come onto the pitch and barked orders at his teammates, getting them into shape when holding onto a lead.
The former Bournemouth man may not be able to sprint at the same speed and cover the same distance as other players, but he offers an incredible array of technical ability and experience, which he can offload to Reading’s young squad.
Reading are seeing the success of having a figure like Ritchie in and around the club. I feel that the Scotsman behind the scenes is playing a bigger part than what’s seen on the pitch, which in turn is having an effect on the positive results the club have been seeing.
4. Paudie O’Connor
The 28-year-old Irishman joined the Royals after three successful years at Lincoln City, and has been a mainstay in the heart of the defence since returning from an injury that kept him out early on in the season.
O’Connor has played 30 times so far this season, scoring three goals, the most memorable being a late winner away at Wigan Athletic. The reason why I have O’Connor fourth on my list is because he has been solid and consistent whenever he has been called upon, forming a partnership with fellow Irishman Derrick Williams.
Statistically O’Connor is looking good, winning 69.2% of his duels, which rises to 72.8% when focusing on aerial duels. The former Bradford City man also contributes on average 9.09 clearances per 90 and 1.88 interceptions per 90.
These stats put him up there with the best in the division for his position.
3. Kamari Doyle
The Brighton & Hove Albion loanee has had a massive part to play in Reading’s season so far, featuring 44 times and scoring four, but what Doyle lacks in output he has more than made up for in his desire and attitude since coming into the club.
Richardson highlighted this when speaking about Doyle’s reaction following a 2-2 draw at home to Plymouth Argyle in the league:
“Kami was very emotional after Saturday because he puts a lot into it; for a loan player to be like that, it is unbelievable. For a loan player to wear the Reading badge and be that emotional, it was unbelievable”.
Doyle is third on this list largely due to the effort and desire he has shown for Reading since coming in on loan. Because of this there are already growing numbers from inside the fanbase who want to see Doyle back at the club in the summer and permanently.
2. Derrick Williams
I have Derrick Williams in second because when he’s been fit, he has played, featuring 22 times so far. Similar to his fellow Irishman O’Connor, Williams wins 71% of his duels per 90, as well as winning 72% when you focus on aerial duels.
Williams offers reassurance at the back with his experience helping out the younger players further up the field.
The 33-year old also asks a lot of Pereira, with countless examples of Williams screaming at his ‘keeper when he believes Pereira has not come out to help his defenders. Williams does this because he expects high standards and knows that, if he lets little issues go, they could end up costing Reading points.
1. Jack Marriott
That means at number one I have Reading’s top scorer, Jack Marriott, who’s scored 16 league goals in 2025/26 and was the joint-top-scorer in the division prior to injury. His goals have been vital to the Royals’ playoff push this season.
The most impressive stats that Marriott boasts include 0.82 goals per 90, 0.48 of shots being on target, as well as averaging 2.67 shots per 90.
These stats show that he keeps opposition goalkeepers busy. The frequency with which the 31-year-old has managed to get shots off is impressive as it stops ’keepers from being able to get set and be in the best possible position to make the save.
The best example of Marriott’s early strikes catching ‘keepers out came when Reading beat Wycombe Wanderers 3-2. For both Marriott’s first and second goals, he decided to strike early, forcing Will Norris in goal to not be fully ready – and therefore the ball beat the goalkeeper.
Did I put anyone too high or too low? Do you agree with my first place or does another player deserve to be handed the title of Reading’s best summer signing?
