# 2020–21 Reading F.C. season

The 2020–21 season was Reading's 150th year in existence and eighth consecutive season in the Championship, and covers the period from 23 July 2020 to 30 June 2021.

## Season review
### Pre-season

On 24 July, the EFL confirmed that the Championship would begin on the weekend of Saturday 12 September 2020.

#### Transfers and contracts

On 28 July, Reading announced the signing of Josh Laurent to a two-year contract, after his Shrewsbury Town contract expired at the end of the 2019–20 season.
On 3 August, Reading confirmed that Gabriel Osho had declined a new contract with the club after his old contract had expired on 31 July, and had left the club.
On 28 August, Reading confirmed the signing of Ovie Ejaria to a four-year contract from Liverpool.

### August

Reading announced their first pre-season friendly on 13 August, an away trip on 28 August to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face Tottenham Hotspur.
On 18 August, Reading were drawn at home against Colchester United in the first round of the EFL Cup. The following day Reading announced they'd play Gillingham at home on 22 August in their first pre-season friendly game.
On 21 August, the EFL Championship fixture list was released, with Reading starting their campaign with an away trip to Derby County on 12 September. The following day, Reading faced Gillingham in a friendly at the Madejski Stadium. Two quick-fire goals from Lucas João and Andy Rinomhota gave Reading a 2–0 half time lead. In the second half, John Akinde pulled one back for Gillingham from the penalty with the games ended 2–1 to Reading.
On 28 August, Reading faced Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Tottenham opened the scoring through an Omar Richards own goal, before goals from Dele Alli and Son Heung-min saw Tottenham take a 3–0 first half lead. In the second half Erik Lamela scored a free-kick before a late George Pușcaș penalty gave Reading a consolation goal to finish the game 4–1 to Tottenham. After the game the club announced that their planned friendly with West Ham United on 1 September was cancelled.
On 29 August, Reading announced the appointment of Veljko Paunović as manager.
On 31 August, Reading announced that as part of their Portuguese training camp, they would face Portimonense in a friendly at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão on 1 September. On the same day, the club confirmed that Mark Bowen had left the club after turning down a new role after being replaced as manager.

### September

Reading started the season with a 3–1 home victory over Colchester United in the First Round EFL Cup under the leadership of Eddie Niedzwiecki whilst Veljko Paunović completed his quarantine period. After initially going 1–0 down to a Jevani Brown, Lucas João scored a hat trick to ensure victory and Reading progressed to the Second round of the cup. The following day Reading were drawn at home against Luton Town in the Second round of the EFL Cup, with a home time against Manchester United in the third round if they defeat Luton.
On 8 September, Reading announced the appointment of Quinton Fortune and Nuno Gomes as First Team coaches.
On 10 September, Jordan Holsgrove left the club to sign permanently for Celta Vigo.
Reading's first league game of the season took place on 12 September, against Derby County at Pride Park. Lucas João opened the scoring in the 40th minute, for his fourth goal in two matches, before providing the assist for Ovie Ejaria to double Reading's lead in the 1st minute of added on time at the end of the First Half, and giving Reading a 2–0 victory, to end the first round of games Second in the league.
On 15 September, Reading faced Luton Town at home in the second round of the EFL Cup. A 24th-minute goal from Jordan Clark saw Luton run out winners against a youthful Reading team that saw first team debuts for Dejan Tetek, Nelson Abbey and Lynford Sackey.
Reading's second league game of the season took place on 19 September, with Reading hosting Barnsley. Barnsley defender Michał Helik saw a straight red card in the 42nd minute after pulling back Lucas João, before substitute Yakou Méïté opened the scoring in the 67th minute. One minute later, Mads Juel Andersen was shown a second yellow card, after handling ball, seeing Barnsley down to nine men. Ten minutes later, in the 77th minute, Michael Olise struck a first time volley from the edge of the area to score his first Reading goal and to make it two wins out of two for Reading in the league.
On 22 September, Lewis Gibson joined Reading on a season-long loan deal from Everton.
On 23 September, Marc McNulty was arrested as part of a match fixing prob by Police Scotland.
Reading won their third league game in a row on 26 September, defeating Cardiff City 2–1 at the Cardiff City Stadium. Michael Morrison gave Reading the lead just after halftime with a header from a Michael Olise free kick, with Lucas João doubling the lead just after the hour mark. Lee Tomlin pulled one back for Cardiff City with ten minutes to go, but Reading held out to maintain their one-hundred percent start to the Championship season.
On 30 September, Jeriel Dorsett signed a new contract with Reading until the summer of 2022.

### October

On 3 October, Reading hosted Watford at the Madejski Stadium and maintained their perfect start to the Championship season, with a 1–0 victory thanks to a goal from George Pușcaș.
On 4 October, Alfa Semedo joined Reading on a season-long loan deal from Benfica. The following day, 5 October, Reading signed Tomás Esteves on loan from Porto for the remainder of the season, whilst Marc McNulty joined Dundee United on loan for the season.
On 9 October, manager Veljko Paunović was announced as the Championships manager of the month for September.
On 16 October, domestic transfer deadline-day, Sam Smith moved to Tranmere Rovers on loan until 7 January 2021. Reading travelled to Middlesbrough on 17 October, playing out a 0–0 draw to drop their first points of the season. Three days later, they hosted Wycombe Wanderers at the Madejski Stadium, after a goalless first half, Lucas João scored in the 64th minute with their only shot on target to take all three points. Matchday 7 saw Reading host Rotherham United at the Madejski Stadium on 24 October. Yakou Méïté opened the scoring shortly before halftime, before he doubled the lead in the 79th minute with a bicycle kick from a corner, before an injury time Lucas João penalty finished the game off.
On 27 October, Jökull Andrésson joined Exeter City on an emergency seven-day loan deal.
Reading lost their first league game of the season on 30 October, falling to a 3–2 defeat away to Coventry City at St Andrew's. Coventry took the lead through Gustavo Hamer in the first half, before Lucas João scored his ninth goal of the season to tie the game in the 66th minute. Matt Godden and Sam McCallum both scored late in the game to give Coventry City a 3–1 lead heading in to injury time, where George Pușcaș scored to finish the game 3–2.
Towards the end of October, Reading signed teenage Guinea-Bissau winger Mamadi Camará to a two-year contract from Feirense.

### November

On 2 November, Andrésson's loan at Exeter City was extended for a further week.
Reading lost their second league game in a row on 4 November, with Preston North End running out 3–0 winners at Madejski Stadium. 3 days later, Reading suffered their third defeat in a row, and second 3–0 defeat in a row as Stoke City came away from the Madejski Stadium with the win.
Andrésson extended his loan at Exeter City for a third week on 10 November, a fourth on 17 November, and for a fifth time on 24 November.

### December

On 15 December, Nelson Abbey signed his first professional contract with Reading, until the summer of 2022, and Reading confirmed that Omri Luzon had joined the U23 squad on a contract until June 2021.
On 23 December, Sam Walker joined Blackpool on a seven-day emergency loan. After making his debut for Blackpool on 29 December, Walkers loan deal was extended for a further seven days.

### January

On 12 January, Reading's EFL Championship game against Brentford scheduled for 16 January, was postponed due to the COVID-19 cases within the Brentford squad.

#### Transfers

On 11 January, Sam Walker moved to AFC Wimbledon on loan for the remainder of the season.
On 22 January, Jökull Andrésson joined Morecambe on a week-long emergency loan deal. After facing Exeter City in his second and final game whilst on loan for Morecambe, Andrésson returned to Exeter City on loan for the remainder of the season on 29 January. On the same day, Sam Smith joined Cheltenham Town on loan for the remainder of the season.

### February

On 3 February, Mamadi Camará signed his first professional contract with Reading, until the summer of 2022.
On 25 February, Nahum Melvin-Lambert signed his first professional contract with the Reading, until the summer of 2022 before joining St Patrick's Athletic on loan until June.

### April

On 30 April, Michael Olise was named as the EA Sports Young Player of the Season and listed in the Sky Bet Championship Team of the Season.

### May

On 7 May, Reading announced that Luke Southwood had signed a new two-year contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2023.
Prior to Reading's last game of the season, on 8 May, Josh Laurent was announced as the club's player of the season.
On 11 May, Reading announced that Michael Morrison had signed a new one-year contract with the club, whilst new contracts had also been offered to Tom McIntyre, Omar Richards, James Holden, Thierry Nevers and Femi Azeez with Ethan Bristow having a clause triggered in his contract to keep him at the club. Scholars Kian Leavy, Harvey Collins, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Malachi Talent-Aryeety and Lynford Sackey were all offered professional contracts too. Reading also announced that Sone Aluko, Sam Baldock, Sam Walker, Tennai Watson, Ryan East, Conor Lawless, Oliver Pendlebury, Jayden Onen, Sam Smith, Joseph Ajose, Josh Hewitt, Omri Luzon, Augustus McGiff, Alfie Anderson, Jordan Hamilton-Olise and Yaw Turkson would all leave the club at the end of their contracts. The following day, 12 May, James Holden joined Maidenhead United on loan for the remainder of the season.
On 25 May, Reading announced that they had activated a clause in Thierry Nevers' contract, extending his contract until the summer of 2022 whilst also confirming he would be joining West Ham United for an undisclosed fee once the transfer window opens on 9 June.

## Transfers
### In

| Date | Position | Name | From | Fee |
| 28 July 2020 | MF | Josh Laurent | Shrewsbury Town | Free |
| 28 August 2020 | MF | Ovie Ejaria | Liverpool | Undisclosed |
| October 2020 | FW | Mamadi Camará | Feirense | Undisclosed |
| November 2020 | MF | Jayden Onen | Brentford B | Free |
| December 2021 | DF | Omri Luzon | Maccabi Petah Tikva | Free |

### Loans in

| Start date | Position | Name | From | End date |
| 22 September 2020 | DF | Lewis Gibson | Everton | End of season |
| 4 October 2020 | MF | Alfa Semedo | Benfica | End of season |
| 5 October 2020 | DF | Tomás Esteves | Porto | End of season |

### Out

| Date | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
| 10 September 2020 | MF | | Jordan Holsgrove | Celta Vigo | Undisclosed | |
| 25 May 2021† | FW | | Thierry Nevers | West Ham United | Undisclosed | |
    † Nevers' move was announced on the above date, but was not active until 9 June 2021.

### Loans out

| Start date | Position | Name | To | End date |
| 5 October 2020 | FW | Marc McNulty | Dundee United | End of season |
| 16 October 2020 | FW | Sam Smith | Tranmere Rovers | 7 January 2021 |
| 27 October 2020 | GK | Jökull Andrésson | Exeter City | 1 December 2020 |
| 23 December 2020 | GK | Sam Walker | Blackpool | 6 January 2021 |
| 11 January 2021 | GK | Sam Walker | AFC Wimbledon | End of season |
| 22 January 2021 | GK | Jökull Andrésson | Morecambe | 29 January 2021 |
| 29 January 2021 | GK | Jökull Andrésson | Exeter City | End of season |
| 29 January 2021 | FW | Sam Smith | Cheltenham Town | End of season |
| 25 February 2021 | FW | Nahum Melvin-Lambert | St Patrick's Athletic | June 2021 |
| 12 May 2021 | GK | James Holden | Maidenhead United | End of season |

### Released

| Date | Position | Name | Joined | Date |
| 30 June 2021 | GK | Sam Walker | Kilmarnock | 6 July 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | DF | Joseph Ajose | Queens Park Rangers | 27 August 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | DF | Josh Hewitt | Marquette Golden Eagles | |
| 30 June 2021 | DF | Omar Richards | Bayern Munich | 1 July 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | DF | Tennai Watson | Milton Keynes Dons | 28 July 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | DF | Omri Luzon | Hapoel Rishon LeZion | 30 September 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | MF | Ryan East | Swindon Town | 7 August 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | MF | Jordan Hamilton-Olise | Westfield | |
| 30 June 2021 | MF | Conor Lawless | Luton Town | 21 September 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | MF | Jayden Onen | Sheffield Wednesday | 6 December 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | MF | Oliver Pendlebury | Wycombe Wanderers | 1 July 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | MF | Yaw Turkson | Tiffin Dragons | |
| 30 June 2021 | FW | Alfie Anderson | Slough Town | |
| 30 June 2021 | FW | Sam Baldock | Derby County | 17 August 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | FW | Sam Smith | Cambridge United | 7 July 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | FW | Sone Aluko | Ipswich Town | 6 August 2021 |
| 30 June 2021 | FW | Augustus McGiff | College of Mount Saint Vincent | |

### Trial

| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | Date to | Ref. |
| 1 September 2020 | MF | | Rodrigo Riquelme | | |
| 1 September 2020 | FW | | Jordan Adebayo-Smith | | |

## Squad

    As of match played 8 May 2021
| No. | Name | Position | Date of birth (Age) | Signed from | Signed in | Contract ends | Apps. | Goals |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||||
| 1 | Sam Walker | GK | (1991-10-02)2 October 1991 (aged 29) | Colchester United | 2018 | 2021 | 14 | 0 |
| 22 | Luke Southwood | GK | (1997-12-06)6 December 1997 (aged 23) | Academy | 2016 | 2023 | 4 | 0 |
| 33 | Rafael Cabral | GK | (1990-05-20)20 May 1990 (aged 30) | Sampdoria | 2019 | 2022 | 91 | 0 |
| 40 | Jökull Andrésson | GK | (2001-08-25)25 August 2001 (aged 19) | Academy | 2018 | 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| Defenders ||||||||||
| 2 | Tomás Esteves | DF | (2002-04-03)3 April 2002 (aged 19) | loan from Porto | 2020 | 2021 | 30 | 1 |
| 3 | Omar Richards | DF | (1998-02-15)15 February 1998 (aged 23) | Academy | 2016 | 2021 | 104 | 3 |
| 4 | Michael Morrison | DF | (1988-03-03)3 March 1988 (aged 33) | Birmingham City | 2019 | 2022 | 83 | 6 |
| 5 | Tom McIntyre | DF | (1998-11-06)6 November 1998 (aged 22) | Academy | 2016 | 2021 | 44 | 2 |
| 6 | Liam Moore | DF | (1993-01-31)31 January 1993 (aged 28) | Leicester City | 2016 | 2023 | 214 | 6 |
| 15 | Lewis Gibson | DF | (2000-07-19)19 July 2000 (aged 20) | loan from Everton | 2020 | 2021 | 13 | 0 |
| 17 | Andy Yiadom | DF | (1991-12-02)2 December 1991 (aged 29) | Barnsley | 2018 | 2022 | 94 | 3 |
| 29 | Tom Holmes | DF | (2000-03-12)12 March 2000 (aged 21) | Academy | 2017 | 2022 | 41 | 0 |
| Midfielders ||||||||||
| 7 | Michael Olise | MF | (2001-12-12)12 December 2001 (aged 19) | Academy | 2018 | 2022 | 73 | 7 |
| 8 | Andy Rinomhota | MF | (1997-04-21)21 April 1997 (aged 24) | Academy | 2017 | 2022 | 118 | 4 |
| 10 | John Swift | MF | (1995-06-23)23 June 1995 (aged 25) | Chelsea | 2016 | 2022 | 164 | 23 |
| 14 | Ovie Ejaria | MF | (1997-11-18)18 November 1997 (aged 23) | Liverpool | 2020 | 2024 | 93 | 7 |
| 20 | Felipe Araruna | MF | (1996-03-12)12 March 1996 (aged 25) | São Paulo | 2020 | 2022 | 7 | 0 |
| 28 | Josh Laurent | MF | (1995-05-06)6 May 1995 (aged 26) | Shrewsbury Town | 2020 | 2022 | 46 | 3 |
| 30 | Alfa Semedo | MF | (1997-08-30)30 August 1997 (aged 23) | loan from Benfica | 2020 | 2021 | 40 | 2 |
| 34 | Dejan Tetek | MF | (2002-09-24)24 September 2002 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | 2021 | 9 | 0 |
| Forwards ||||||||||
| 9 | Sam Baldock | FW | (1989-03-15)15 March 1989 (aged 32) | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2018 | 2021 | 74 | 11 |
| 11 | Yakou Méïté | FW | (1996-02-11)11 February 1996 (aged 25) | Paris Saint-Germain | 2016 | 2023 | 125 | 43 |
| 18 | Lucas João | FW | (1993-09-04)4 September 1993 (aged 27) | Sheffield Wednesday | 2019 | 2023 | 59 | 28 |
| 24 | Sone Aluko | FW | (1989-02-19)19 February 1989 (aged 32) | Fulham | 2017 | 2021 | 102 | 6 |
| 47 | George Pușcaș | FW | (1996-04-08)8 April 1996 (aged 25) | Inter Milan | 2019 | 2024 | 64 | 18 |
| | Sam Smith | FW | (1998-03-08)8 March 1998 (aged 23) | Academy | 2016 | 2021 | 11 | 2 |
| U23 ||||||||||
| 31 | Coniah Boyce-Clarke | GK | (2003-03-01)1 March 2003 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | Imari Samuels | DF | (2003-02-05)5 February 2003 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | Nelson Abbey | DF | (2003-08-28)28 August 2003 (aged 17) | Academy | 2019 | 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 38 | Ethan Bristow | DF | (2001-11-27)27 November 2001 (aged 19) | Academy | 2018 | | 3 | 0 |
| 39 | Oliver Pendlebury | MF | (2002-01-19)19 January 2002 (aged 19) | Academy | 2019 | | 1 | 0 |
| 41 | Joseph Ajose | DF | (2001-01-29)29 January 2001 (aged 20) | Port Vale | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| 42 | Lynford Sackey | FW | (2003-02-18)18 February 2003 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | | 1 | 0 |
| 43 | Tennai Watson | DF | (1997-03-04) 4 March 1997 (age 27) | Academy | 2015 | 2021 | 9 | 0 |
| 44 | Ryan East | MF | (1998-08-07)7 August 1998 (aged 22) | Academy | 2016 | 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| 45 | Femi Azeez | MF | (2001-06-05)5 June 2001 (aged 19) | Wealdstone | 2019 | 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| 46 | Jayden Onen | MF | (2001-02-17)17 February 2001 (aged 20) | Brentford B | 2020 | | 2 | 0 |
| 48 | Jeriel Dorsett | DF | (2002-05-04)4 May 2002 (aged 19) | Academy | 2019 | 2022 | 2 | 0 |
| 49 | Conor Lawless | MF | (2001-09-13)13 September 2001 (aged 19) | Academy | 2018 | 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| 50 | Mamadi Camará | FW | (2003-12-31)31 December 2003 (aged 17) | Feirense | 2020 | 2022 | 2 | 0 |
| | Josh Hewitt | DF | (2001-09-19)19 September 2001 (aged 19) | Academy | 2020 | 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| | Omri Luzon | DF | (1999-01-07)7 January 1999 (aged 22) | Maccabi Petah Tikva | 2020 | 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| | Thierry Nevers | MF | (2001-02-05)5 February 2001 (aged 20) | Academy | 2019 | 2022 | 0 | 0 |
| | Claudio Osorio | MF | (2002-09-26)26 September 2002 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Kian Leavy | MF | (2002-03-21)21 March 2002 (aged 19) | Academy | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Augustus McGiff | FW | (2002-07-01)1 July 2002 (aged 18) | New York City FC Academy | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| U18 ||||||||||
| | Harvey Collins | GK | (2002-11-05)5 November 2002 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Matt Rowley | GK | | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Kelvin Abrefa | DF | (2003-12-09)9 December 2003 (aged 17) | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Jordan Addo-Antoine | DF | | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Jordan Hamilton-Olise | DF | (2003-02-09)9 February 2003 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Louie Holzman | DF | | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Sam Paul | DF | | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Michael Stickland | DF | | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Hamid Abdel-Salam | MF | (2003-10-19)19 October 2003 (aged 17) | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Jack Senga | MF | (2004-01-27)27 January 2004 (aged 17) | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Malachi Talent-Aryeetey | MF | (2002-09-10)10 September 2002 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Yaw Turkson | MF | (2003-03-06)6 March 2003 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Benjamin Purcell | MF | (2004-08-25)25 August 2004 (aged 16) | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Alfie Anderson | FW | (2002-09-06)6 September 2002 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Jahmari Clarke | FW | (2003-08-17)17 August 2003 (aged 17) | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Harvey Maudner | FW | (2003-10-07)7 October 2003 (aged 17) | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| | David Nyarko | FW | (2002-10-07)7 October 2002 (aged 18) | Academy | 2020 | | 0 | 0 |
| Out on loan ||||||||||
| 12 | Marc McNulty | FW | (1992-09-14)14 September 1992 (aged 28) | Coventry City | 2018 | 2022 | 17 | 1 |
| 37 | Nahum Melvin-Lambert | FW | (2002-10-21)21 October 2002 (aged 18) | Academy | 2019 | 2022 | 3 | 0 |
| | James Holden | GK | (2001-09-04)4 September 2001 (aged 19) | Bury | 2019 | | 0 | 0 |
| Left during the season ||||||||||
| | Jordan Holsgrove | MF | (1999-09-10)10 September 1999 (aged 21) | Academy | 2017 | 2021 | 0 | 0 |
* ↑ Tom McIntyre was born in Reading, England, but qualified to represent Scotland, representing them at U17, U20 and U21 level.
* ↑ Liam Moore was born in Loughborough, England, but qualified to represent Jamaica, and made his international debut for Jamaica in March 2021.
* ↑ Andy Yiadom was born in Holloway, England, but qualified to represent Ghana and made his international debut for Ghana in January 2017. He previously represented England at C level.
* ↑ Michael Olise qualifies to represent England, Nigeria and France, making his international debut for France U18 in June 2019 at the 2019 Toulon Tournament.
* ↑ Yakou Méïte was born in Paris, France, but qualified to represent the Ivory Coast, representing the Ivory Coast at U17, U20 and U23 level.
* ↑ Sone Aluko was born in Hounslow, England, but qualified to represent Nigeria and made his international debut for Nigeria in May 2009. He previously represented Nigeria at U20 and U23 level and England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level.
* ↑ Kelvin Abrefa was born in Italy to Ghanaian parents, going on to make his debut for Ghana U20 in June 2022.

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 12 | FW | SCO | Marc McNulty (at Dundee United until the end of the season.) |
| 37 | FW | ENG | Nahum Melvin-Lambert (at St Patrick's Athletic until June 2021.) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | GK | ENG | James Holden (at Maidenhead United until the end of the season.) |

### Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | SCO | Jordan Holsgrove (to Celta Vigo) |

## Competitions
### Overview

| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record | Record |
| Competition | First match | Last match | Starting round | Final position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
| EFL Championship | 12 September 2020 | May 2021 | Matchday 1 | 7th | 46 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 62 | 54 | +8 | 041.30 |
| FA Cup | 9 January 2021 | 9 January 2021 | Third round | Third round | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 000.00 |
| EFL Cup | 5 September 2020 | 15 September 2020 | First round | Second round | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 050.00 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 49 | 20 | 13 | 16 | 65 | 57 | +8 | 040.82 |
Last updated: 8 May 2021 Source: Competitions

### Championship
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
| 4 | Swansea City | 46 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 56 | 39 | +17 | 80 | Qualification for Championship play-offs |
| 5 | Barnsley | 46 | 23 | 9 | 14 | 58 | 50 | +8 | 78 | Qualification for Championship play-offs |
| 6 | Bournemouth | 46 | 22 | 11 | 13 | 73 | 46 | +27 | 77 | Qualification for Championship play-offs |
| 7 | Reading | 46 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 62 | 54 | +8 | 70 | |
| 8 | Cardiff City | 46 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 66 | 49 | +17 | 68 | |
| 9 | Queens Park Rangers | 46 | 19 | 11 | 16 | 57 | 55 | +2 | 68 | |
| 10 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 55 | 53 | +2 | 64 | |

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 8 May 2021. Source: Results

#### Results by matchday

| Matchday | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| Ground | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H |
| Result | W | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | L | L | L | L | D | W | D | W | L | W | L | L | W | D | W | W | D | W | D | L | L | W | L | L | W | W | W | D | L | D | D | W | L | D | D | D | L | D |
| Position | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |

#### Results
### FA Cup

The third round draw was made on 30 November, with Premier League and EFL Championship clubs all entering the competition.

## Squad statistics

    As of match played 8 May 2021

### Appearances and goals

| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | Championship | Championship | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 2 | DF | POR | Tomás Esteves | 30 | 1 | 12+17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG | Omar Richards | 42 | 0 | 38+3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | ENG | Michael Morrison | 36 | 4 | 35 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | SCO | Tom McIntyre | 28 | 2 | 16+10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | JAM | Liam Moore | 33 | 0 | 31+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | FRA | Michael Olise | 46 | 7 | 37+7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | ENG | Andy Rinomhota | 43 | 1 | 41+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | ENG | Sam Baldock | 23 | 0 | 4+16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | ENG | John Swift | 14 | 1 | 10+4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | CIV | Yakou Méïté | 25 | 12 | 19+6 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | ENG | Ovie Ejaria | 38 | 3 | 37+1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | DF | ENG | Lewis Gibson | 13 | 0 | 7+6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | GHA | Andy Yiadom | 21 | 1 | 18+3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | FW | POR | Lucas João | 40 | 22 | 35+4 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 20 | MF | BRA | Felipe Araruna | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 22 | GK | ENG | Luke Southwood | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | NGA | Sone Aluko | 36 | 2 | 9+24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | ENG | Josh Laurent | 46 | 3 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 29 | DF | ENG | Tom Holmes | 40 | 0 | 30+9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 30 | MF | GNB | Alfa Semedo | 40 | 2 | 24+15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | GK | BRA | Rafael Cabral | 45 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | MF | SRB | Dejan Tetek | 9 | 0 | 1+6 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 36 | DF | ENG | Nelson Abbey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 38 | DF | ENG | Ethan Bristow | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 39 | MF | ENG | Oliver Pendlebury | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 42 | FW | ENG | Lynford Sackey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 43 | DF | ENG | Tennai Watson | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 45 | MF | ENG | Femi Azeez | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 46 | MF | ENG | Jayden Onen | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 47 | FW | ROU | George Pușcaș | 22 | 4 | 9+12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 48 | DF | ENG | Jeriel Dorsett | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 49 | MF | ENG | Conor Lawless | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 50 | FW | GNB | Mamadi Camará | 2 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Players away on loan: ||||||||||||
| 12 | FW | SCO | Marc McNulty | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 37 | FW | ENG | Nahum Melvin-Lambert | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 |
| Players who appeared for Reading but left during the season: ||||||||||||

### Goal scorers

| Place | Position | Nation | Number | Name | Championship | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
| 1 | FW | | 18 | Lucas João | 19 | 0 | 3 | 22 |
| 2 | FW | | 11 | Yakou Méïté | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 3 | MF | | 7 | Michael Olise | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 4 | DF | | 4 | Michael Morrison | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | FW | | 47 | George Pușcaș | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | MF | | 14 | Ovie Ejaria | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | MF | | 28 | Josh Laurent | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | FW | | 24 | Sone Aluko | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | DF | | 5 | Tom McIntyre | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | MF | | 30 | Alfa Semedo | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | MF | | 8 | Andy Rinomhota | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | MF | | 10 | John Swift | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | DF | | 17 | Andy Yiadom | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | DF | | 2 | Tomás Esteves | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 62 | 0 | 3 | 65 |

### Clean sheets

| Place | Position | Nation | Number | Name | Championship | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
| 1 | GK | | 33 | Rafael Cabral | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 |

### Disciplinary record

| Number | Nation | Position | Name | Championship | Championship | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Total | Total |
| 3 | | DF | Omar Richards | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 4 | | DF | Michael Morrison | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 5 | | DF | Tom McIntyre | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 | | DF | Liam Moore | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | | MF | Michael Olise | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 8 | | MF | Andy Rinomhota | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 9 | | FW | Sam Baldock | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | | MF | John Swift | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | | FW | Yakou Méïté | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | | MF | Ovie Ejaria | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 17 | | DF | Andy Yiadom | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 18 | | FW | Lucas João | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 28 | | MF | Josh Laurent | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 29 | | DF | Tom Holmes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 30 | | MF | Alfa Semedo | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 33 | | GK | Rafael Cabral | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 34 | | MF | Dejan Tetek | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 46 | | MF | Jayden Onen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 47 | | FW | George Pușcaș | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Players away on loan: ||||||||||||
| Players who left Reading during the season: ||||||||||||
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 46 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 |