# 2018–19 Reading F.C. season

The 2018–19 season was Reading's 148th year in existence and sixth consecutive season in the Championship, and covers the period from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.

## Season review
### Pre-season

On 18 May 2018, Reading announced that they would be taking part in a six-day pre-season training camp in Bad Erlach, Austria, with two friendlies scheduled to be played against as yet un-confirmed opposition. The EFL Cup first round draw took place on 15 June 2018, in Vietnam, drawing Reading at home against Birmingham City.

#### Transfers and contracts

Reading announced their first summer signing on 17 May 2018, Andy Yiadom signed a four-year contract with Reading, officially joining his new club on 1 July after the expiration of his Barnsley contract. Reading's second summer signing was announced on 5 June, with David Meyler signing a two-year contract, with the option of an additional year, on a free transfer from Hull City upon the conclusion of contract with them on 30 June. The following day, Reading announced that John O'Shea had signed a one-year contract to commence on 1 July 2018.
On 20 June, Reading announced that Andrija Novakovich had signed a new two-year contract with the club, and that he would spend the next season on loan at Eredivisie club Fortuna Sittard. Two days after, it was announced that goalkeeper Lewis Ward had also extended his contract with the club until the summer of 2020. On 2 July, Reading announced that youngsters Jamal Balogun, Andre Burley, Cameron Green, Adam Liddle, Akin Odimayo, Moroyin Omolabi and Jazz Wallace had all signed their first professional contracts with the club, whilst goalkeeper Luke Southwood had also signed a new two-year contract.
Reading signed Marc McNulty from Coventry City, on 6 July, to a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. Two days later, it was announced that Danzell Gravenberch had re-joined KSV Roeselare on loan for second successive season.
On 10 July, Reading parted company with striker Yann Kermorgant by mutual agreement and Tennai Watson joined AFC Wimbledon on a season-long loan deal. Reading announced that they had signed Darren Sidoel from Ajax on a three-year contract on 17 July.
Academy graduate Jökull Andrésson agreed a two-year contract with Reading on 24 July, before joining Hungerford Town on loan until 1 January 2019. The following day, Joey van den Berg moved to NEC on a season-long loan deal, whilst Colchester United goalkeeper Sam Walker joined the club on a three-year deal. On 27 July, Lewis Ward joined Northampton Town on a season-long loan.
Sam Baldock signed a three-year contract with Reading, joining from Brighton and Hove Albion on 30 July. The following day, Reading confirmed that George Evans had moved to Derby County for an undisclosed fee and Sam Smith joined Oxford United on a season-long loan.

#### Matches

On 30 June, Reading played their first pre-season fixture away at Eastleigh. The Royals lost the fixture 2–1, with the National League side scoring a late winner through Ben Williamson. Prior to this, Paul McCallum had put the hosts ahead in the first half, before Leandro Bacuna's equaliser. Reading played two different teams composed of first team players in either half.
On 7 July, Reading faced League One outfit AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow. Former-Royals loanee Kwesi Appiah put the hosts ahead, before Joe Pigott doubled their advantage just before the break. Adrian Popa and Sam Smith levelled the game with two goals in five minutes following the restart. Egli Kaja restored Wimbledon's lead, with Kane Crichlow wrapping up a 4–2 victory for the Dons with six minutes to play. As with the Eastleigh fixture, Reading fielded separate teams in either half. A 0–0 draw with Premier League Fulham followed a week later at the Recreation Ground in Aldershot. Twenty-one different players featured for Reading.
As part of the club's training camp in Bad Erlach, Austria, the Royals faced Turkish giants Beşiktaş in Graz, as part of the Turks' preparation for their Europa League campaign. Ryan Babel and Oğuzhan Özyakup put Beşiktaş into a two-goal lead in the second half, before Sam Smith and Mark McNulty levelled the contest in the final ten minutes. On the 20 July, Reading faced former Russian champions Rubin Kazan in Ilz with the sides playing out a 0–0 draw.
On 28 July, Reading played their only home match of pre-season with the visit of Crystal Palace. The Premier League side won 4–0, with goals from Alexander Sørloth, Wilfried Zaha (two) and James Tomkins, rounding of a winless pre-season for Reading.

### August

Reading opened the season with a 2–1 home defeat against Derby County on 3 August. Reading opened the scoring in the 52nd minute through Jón Daði Böðvarsson, before Mason Mount equalised in the 60th minute and Tom Lawrence scored a last minute header to seal the victory for Derby County. Reading's second game of the season saw them travel to Nottingham Forest on 11 August. A single Hillal Soudani goal in the 68th minute saw the host emerge victorious, and Reading dropping to the foot of the table. On 14 August Reading hosted Birmingham City in the First Round of the EFL Cup, with goals from Yakou Méïté and John Swift securing Reading's first win of the season and their place in the Second Round of the League Cup.
On 15 August, Axel Andrésson signed a new contract with Reading until the summer of 2020, and then immediately joined Norwegian OBOS-ligaen club Viking FK on loan until the end of their season.
On 17 August, goalkeeper Liam Driscoll joined Hungerford Town on an emergency loan after Jökull Andrésson was ruled out for a couple of week due to injury in a prior game.
On 20 August, Reading announced the signing of winger Josh Sims on a season-long loan deal from Southampton.
On 31 August, Reading announced that Saeid Ezatolahi had joined the club on a season-long loan deal from Rostov, and that Liam Moore had signed a new five-year contract, keeping him at Reading until the summer of 2023.

### September

A 2–1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on 1 September means Reading suffer their most winless season in their 147-year history despite Liam Moore's late header in the 78th minute.
On 7 September, goalkeeper George Legg joined Aldershot Town on a one-month loan deal.
On 12 September, Reading confirmed that Brian Tevreden had left the club to become Chief Executive at K.S.V. Roeselare, with Gianluca Nani taking over as Sporting Director.

### October

On 3 October, Reading announced that Yakou Méïte had signed a new contract with Reading, until the summer of 2022.
On 5 October 2018, Gabriel Osho joined Aldershot Town on loan until 4 November 2018, whilst Ade Shokunbi joined Billericay Town until January 2019.

### November

On 7 November, Gabriel Osho had his loan with Aldershot Town extended until the New Year, with Josh Barrett joining Osho at Aldershot Town on 10 November, signing an initial one-month loan deal On 16 November, George Legg joined Braintree Town on a month-long loan deal, whilst Adam Liddle and Joel Rollinson signed youth loan moves with Eastbourne Borough until 16 December.
On 19 November, Ron Gourlay left his role as CEO of Reading with immediate effect.

### December

On 3 December, Reading were drawn away to Manchester United by Ruud Gullit and Paul Ince.
Paul Clement was sacked as manager on 6 December, with U23 manager Scott Marshall taking temporary charge of the first team, and Gabriel Osho being recalled early from his loan deal with Aldershot Town. The following day, 7 December, Gianluca Nani left the club by mutual consent less than three months after joining Reading.
On 16 December, young midfielder Tyler Frost joined Havant & Waterlooville on a month-long loan deal. On 20 December, Reading announced that Adrian Popa had moved to Ludogorets Razgrad on loan for the rest of the season, with Axel Andrésson moving to Viking FK on permanent deal the following day.
On 21 December, Wealdstone announced the signing of Ramarni Medford-Smith on loan for one-month.
Following Reading's 1–0 home defeat to Middlesbrough on 22 December, Reading announced the appointment of José Gomes as their new manager.
On 24 December, goalkeeper Luke Southwood joined Eastleigh on a one-month loan deal.

### January
#### Transfers

On 29 December 2018, Oxford United announced that Sam Smith would return to Reading earl from his loan deal, after they'd activated a clause in the contract. On 3 January 2019, Pelle Clement left the club to join Eredivisie club PEC Zwolle, who were managed by Ex-Reading manager Jaap Stam. The following day Ben House joined Swindon Town on loan until the end of the season, whilst Darren Sidoel joined K.S.V. Roeselare on loan until the end if the season.
On 7 January, Reading announced that David Edwards had left the club to re-join Shrewsbury Town, whilst Josh Sims' loan deal had been ended early and he'd returned to Southampton, and Ovie Ejaria joined on loan until the end of the season from Liverpool.
On 9 January, Lewis Baker joined Reading on loan for the remainder of the season from Chelsea.
On 14 January, Reading announced that Lewis Ward's loan with Northampton Town had ended early, and that he would join Forest Green Rovers on loan for the remainder of the season. On 18 January, Reading announced that George Legg had joined Boreham Wood on loan until the end of the season, Sam Smith had joined Shrewsbury Town until the end of the season, and Tyler Frost and Ramarni Medford-Smith had extended their loans with Havant & Waterlooville and Wealdstone respectively for an additional month. On 22 January, Reading announced the singing of Nélson Oliveira on loan from Norwich City until the end of the season. The next day, 23 January, Emiliano Martínez joined on loan from Arsenal for the remainder of the season. On 24 January, Luke Southwood extended his loan deal with Eastleigh until the end of the season. The following day Matt Miazga became the second Chelsea players to join Reading on loan for the rest of the season. On 29 January, Gabriel Osho joined Bristol Rovers on loan for the remainder of the season, whilst Tiago Ilori moved permanently to Sporting CP for an undisclosed fee. On 31 January, transfer deadline day, Leandro Bacuna left the club for Cardiff City on an undisclosed fee, and David Meyler and Marc McNulty left the club on loan for the remainder of the season, joining Coventry City and Hibernian respectively.

### February

On 6 February, Salisbury announced that Liam Driscoll had joined them on loan, replacing follow Reading youth keeper James Hillson who'd moved to Arsenal on loan. On 10 February, Vito Mannone joined Minnesota United on loan terms which run until 1 January 2020.
On 25 February, Andy Rinomhota signed a new contract with Reading, lasting until the summer of 2022. The following day, Tom McIntyre, Teddy Howe and Jordan Holsgrove extended their contracts until the summer of 2021, Tom Holmes signed a new contract until the summer of 2022, and Sone Aluko moved to Beijing Renhe on loan until the end of the 2019 season.

### March

On 12 March, Ryan East signed a new contract, until the summer of 2021, and made his first team debut against Leeds United.

### April

On 17 April, Reading announced that Macron would be the team's new kit supplier for three seasons beginning at the start of the 2019–20 season.

### May

On 10 May Reading announced that they had offered new contracts to Tyler Frost, Adam Liddle, Ramarni Medford-Smith, Adam Desbois, Marcel Elva-Fountaine and Roberto Nditi and a first professional deal to Imari Samuels. Reading also confirmed that first team members George Legg, Anssi Jaakkola, Paul McShane, Danzell Gravenberch, Callum Harriott and Joey van den Berg would all leave the club following the completion of their contracts at the end of June, with John O'Shea retiring from football. Also leaving the club would be youngsters Jamal Balogun, Cameron Green, Moroyin Omolabi, Joel Rollinson, Ademola Shokunbi, Jazz Wallace, Jacob Pemberton, James Hillson. Shamar Moore, Terrance Saydee, Khalid Simmo and Thomas Stevens.
On 27 May 2019, Michael Olise was called up to the France at the 2019 Toulon Tournament, whilst the following day Danny Loader was called up to represent England, and Josh Barrett to represent Republic of Ireland.
On 28 May, youth team goalkeeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke agreed to sign a professional contract which Reading, until the summer of 2023, to commence the summer after his 17th birthday. On the same day, Claudio Osorio, Nelson Abbey and Malachi Talent-Aryeetey agreed to sign professional terms with the club once they turn 17.

## Transfers
### In

| Date | Position | Name | From | Fee |
| 17 May 2018 | DF | Andy Yiadom | Barnsley | Free |
| 5 June 2018 | MF | David Meyler | Hull City | Free |
| 6 June 2018 | DF | John O'Shea | Sunderland | Free |
| 6 July 2018 | FW | Marc McNulty | Coventry City | Undisclosed |
| 17 July 2018 | DF | Darren Sidoel | Ajax | Undisclosed |
| 25 July 2018 | GK | Sam Walker | Colchester United | Free |
| 30 July 2018 | FW | Sam Baldock | Brighton & Hove Albion | Undisclosed |

### Out

| Date | Position | Name | To | Fee |
| 31 July 2018 | MF | George Evans | Derby County | Undisclosed |
| 21 December 2018 | DF | Axel Andrésson | Viking | Undisclosed |
| 3 January 2019 | MF | Pelle Clement | PEC Zwolle | Undisclosed |
| 29 January 2019 | DF | Tiago Ilori | Sporting CP | Undisclosed |
| 31 January 2019 | MF | Leandro Bacuna | Cardiff City | Undisclosed |

### Loans in

| Start date | Position | Name | From | End date |
| 20 August 2018 | MF | Josh Sims | Southampton | 7 January 2019 |
| 31 August 2018 | MF | Saeid Ezatolahi | Rostov | End of Season |
| 7 January 2019 | MF | Ovie Ejaria | Liverpool | End of Season |
| 9 January 2019 | MF | Lewis Baker | Chelsea | End of Season |
| 22 January 2019 | FW | Nélson Oliveira | Norwich City | End of Season |
| 23 January 2019 | GK | Emiliano Martínez | Arsenal | End of Season |
| 25 January 2019 | DF | Matt Miazga | Chelsea | End of Season |

### Loans out

| Start date | Position | Name | To | End date |
| 20 June 2018 | FW | Andrija Novakovich | Fortuna Sittard | 31 May 2019 |
| 9 July 2018 | DF | Danzell Gravenberch | KSV Roeselare | 31 May 2019 |
| 10 July 2018 | DF | Tennai Watson | AFC Wimbledon | 31 May 2019 |
| 24 July 2018 | GK | Jökull Andrésson | Hungerford Town | 1 January 2019 |
| 25 July 2018 | MF | Joey van den Berg | NEC | 31 May 2019 |
| 27 July 2018 | GK | Lewis Ward | Northampton Town | 14 January 2019 |
| 31 July 2018 | FW | Sam Smith | Oxford United | 1 January 2019 |
| 15 August 2018 | DF | Axel Andrésson | Viking | 11 November 2018 |
| 17 August 2018 | GK | Liam Driscoll | Hungerford Town | |
| 7 September 2018 | GK | George Legg | Aldershot Town | October 2018 |
| 5 October 2018 | DF | Gabriel Osho | Aldershot Town | 6 December 2018 |
| 5 October 2018 | MF | Ade Shokunbi | Billericay Town | January 2019 |
| 19 October 2018 | GK | James Hillson | Salisbury | 6 February 2019 |
| 10 November 2018 | MF | Josh Barrett | Aldershot Town | December 2018 |
| 16 November 2018 | GK | George Legg | Braintree Town | 16 December 2018 |
| 16 November 2018 | MF | Joel Rollinson | Eastbourne Borough | 16 December 2018 |
| 16 November 2018 | FW | Adam Liddle | Eastbourne Borough | 16 December 2018 |
| 16 December 2018 | MF | Tyler Frost | Havant & Waterlooville | 16 February 2019 |
| 21 December 2018 | DF | Ramarni Medford-Smith | Wealdstone | 16 February 2019 |
| 20 December 2018 | MF | Adrian Popa | Ludogorets Razgrad | End of the Season |
| 24 December 2018 | GK | Luke Southwood | Eastleigh | End of Season |
| 4 January 2019 | FW | Ben House | Swindon Town | End of Season |
| 4 January 2019 | DF | Darren Sidoel | KSV Roeselare | 31 May 2019 |
| 14 January 2019 | GK | Lewis Ward | Forest Green Rovers | End of Season |
| 18 January 2019 | GK | George Legg | Boreham Wood | End of Season |
| 18 January 2019 | FW | Sam Smith | Shrewsbury Town | End of Season |
| 29 January 2019 | DF | Gabriel Osho | Bristol Rovers | End of Season |
| 31 January 2019 | MF | David Meyler | Coventry City | End of Season |
| 31 January 2019 | FW | Marc McNulty | Hibernian | End of Season |
| 6 February 2019 | GK | James Hillson | Arsenal | End of Season |
| 6 February 2019 | GK | Liam Driscoll | Salisbury | End of Season |
| 10 February 2019 | GK | Vito Mannone | Minnesota United | 1 January 2020 |
| 26 February 2019 | FW | Sone Aluko | Beijing Renhe | 1 January 2020 |

### Released

| Date | Position | Name | Joined | Date |
| 10 July 2018 | FW | Yann Kermorgant | Vannes | 2 October 2018 |
| 7 January 2019 | MF | David Edwards | Shrewsbury Town | 7 January 2019 |
| 30 June 2019 | GK | James Hillson | Arsenal | 2 July 2019 |
| 30 June 2019 | GK | George Legg | Thatcham Town | 9 September 2020 |
| 30 June 2019 | GK | Anssi Jaakkola | Bristol Rovers | 1 July 2019 |
| 30 June 2019 | DF | Jamal Balogun | Watford | 12 July 2019 |
| 30 June 2019 | DF | Jacob Pemberton | Loughborough University | |
| 30 June 2019 | DF | John O'Shea | Retired | Retired |
| 30 June 2019 | DF | Paul McShane | Rochdale | 10 October 2019 |
| 30 June 2019 | DF | Danzell Gravenberch | TOP Oss | |
| 30 June 2019 | MF | Joel Rollinson | Stevenage | 5 August 2019 |
| 30 June 2019 | MF | Samuel Faniyan | Hertford Town | |
| 30 June 2019 | MF | Cameron Green | Watford | 12 July 2019 |
| 30 June 2019 | MF | Moroyin Omolabi | Berkhamsted | |
| 30 June 2019 | MF | Terrance Saydee | Staines Town | |
| 30 June 2019 | MF | Ademola Shokunbi | Beaconsfield Town | |
| 30 June 2019 | MF | Khalid Simmo | Flackwell Heath | |
| 30 June 2019 | MF | Jazz Wallace | Thatcham Town | 26 February 2022 |
| 30 June 2019 | MF | Callum Harriott | Colchester United | 7 September 2019 |
| 30 June 2019 | MF | Joey van den Berg | NEC | |
| 30 June 2019 | FW | Shamar Moore | Cardiff City | |
| 30 June 2019 | FW | Thomas Stevens | Kasem Bundit University | |

## Squad

    As of match played 5 May 2019
| No. | Name | Position | Date of birth (Age) | Signed from | Signed in | Contract ends | Apps. | Goals |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||||
| 26 | Emiliano Martínez | GK | (1992-09-02)2 September 1992 (aged 26) | loan from Arsenal | 2019 | 2019 | 18 | 0 |
| 28 | Sam Walker | GK | (1991-10-02)2 October 1991 (aged 27) | Colchester United | 2018 | 2021 | 9 | 0 |
| 31 | Anssi Jaakkola | GK | (1987-03-13)13 March 1987 (aged 32) | Ajax Cape Town | 2016 | 2019 | 30 | 0 |
| 34 | Lewis Ward | GK | (1997-03-05)5 March 1997 (aged 22) | Academy | 2015 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | George Legg | GK | (1996-04-30)30 April 1996 (aged 23) | Academy | 2015 | | 0 | 0 |
| | Jökull Andrésson | GK | (2001-08-25)25 August 2001 (aged 17) | Academy | 2018 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| | Liam Driscoll | GK | (1999-05-08)8 May 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | 2017 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| Defenders ||||||||||
| 2 | Chris Gunter | RB | (1989-07-21)21 July 1989 (aged 29) | Nottingham Forest | 2012 | 2020 | 294 | 4 |
| 3 | Andy Yiadom | DF | (1991-12-02)2 December 1991 (aged 27) | Barnsley | 2018 | 2022 | 47 | 1 |
| 4 | John O'Shea | DF | (1981-04-30)30 April 1981 (aged 38) | Sunderland | 2018 | 2019 | 11 | 0 |
| 5 | Paul McShane | DF | (1986-01-06)6 January 1986 (aged 33) | Hull City | 2015 | 2019 | 103 | 4 |
| 6 | Liam Moore | DF | (1993-01-31)31 January 1993 (aged 26) | Leicester City | 2016 | 2023 | 137 | 5 |
| 11 | Jordan Obita | LB | (1993-12-08)8 December 1993 (aged 25) | Academy | 2010 | 2020 | 165 | 4 |
| 19 | Matt Miazga | DF | (1995-07-19)19 July 1995 (aged 23) | loan from Chelsea | 2019 | 2019 | 18 | 0 |
| 24 | Tyler Blackett | DF | (1994-04-02)2 April 1994 (aged 25) | Manchester United | 2016 | 2020 | 100 | 0 |
| 27 | Omar Richards | DF | (1998-02-15)15 February 1998 (aged 21) | Academy | 2016 | 2021 | 28 | 2 |
| 30 | Tennai Watson | DF | (1997-03-04)4 March 1997 (aged 22) | Academy | 2015 | 2021 | 7 | 0 |
| 44 | Tom Holmes | DF | (2000-03-12)12 March 2000 (aged 19) | Academy | 2017 | 2022 | 1 | 0 |
| 46 | Tom McIntyre | DF | (1998-11-06)6 November 1998 (aged 20) | Academy | 2016 | 2021 | 2 | 0 |
| 47 | Gabriel Osho | DF | (1997-08-14)14 August 1997 (aged 21) | Academy | 2016 | 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| 49 | Teddy Howe | DF | (1998-10-09)9 October 1998 (aged 20) | Academy | 2017 | 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| | Ramarni Medford-Smith | DF | (1998-10-21)21 October 1998 (aged 20) | Academy | 2017 | | 0 | 0 |
| Midfielders ||||||||||
| 8 | David Meyler | MF | (1989-05-29)29 May 1989 (aged 29) | Hull City | 2018 | 2020 | 5 | 0 |
| 10 | John Swift | MF | (1995-06-23)23 June 1995 (aged 23) | Chelsea | 2016 | 2022 | 105 | 16 |
| 12 | Garath McCleary | RW | (1987-05-15)15 May 1987 (aged 31) | Nottingham Forest | 2012 | 2020 | 246 | 26 |
| 15 | Callum Harriott | MF | (1994-03-04)4 March 1994 (aged 25) | Charlton Athletic | 2016 | 2019 | 29 | 4 |
| 16 | Lewis Baker | MF | (1995-04-25)25 April 1995 (aged 24) | loan from Chelsea | 2019 | 2019 | 19 | 1 |
| 18 | Ovie Ejaria | MF | (1997-11-18)18 November 1997 (aged 21) | loan from Liverpool | 2019 | 2019 | 16 | 1 |
| 32 | Saeid Ezatolahi | MF | (1996-10-01)1 October 1996 (aged 22) | loan from Rostov | 2018 | 2019 | 4 | 0 |
| 35 | Andy Rinomhota | MF | (1997-04-21)21 April 1997 (aged 22) | Academy | 2017 | 2022 | 30 | 1 |
| 38 | Liam Kelly | MF | (1995-11-22)22 November 1995 (aged 23) | Academy | 2014 | 2020 | 94 | 9 |
| 39 | Josh Barrett | MF | (1998-06-21)21 June 1998 (aged 20) | Academy | 2015 | 2021 | 6 | 0 |
| 42 | Ryan East | MF | (1998-08-07)7 August 1998 (aged 20) | Academy | 2016 | 2021 | 1 | 0 |
| 48 | Michael Olise | MF | (2001-12-12)12 December 2001 (aged 17) | Academy | 2018 | | 4 | 0 |
| 51 | Tyler Frost | MF | (1999-08-07)7 August 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | 2017 | | 0 | 0 |
| 52 | Joel Rollinson | MF | (1998-11-16)16 November 1998 (aged 20) | Academy | 2017 | | 0 | 0 |
| 54 | Ade Shokunbi | MF | (1998-12-17)17 December 1998 (aged 20) | Academy | 2017 | | 0 | 0 |
| 58 | Jordan Holsgrove | MF | (1999-09-10)10 September 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | 2017 | 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| Forwards ||||||||||
| 9 | Sam Baldock | FW | (1989-03-15)15 March 1989 (aged 30) | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2018 | 2021 | 23 | 5 |
| 17 | Modou Barrow | FW | (1992-10-13)13 October 1992 (aged 26) | Swansea City | 2017 | 2021 | 82 | 14 |
| 21 | Yakou Méïté | FW | (1996-02-11)11 February 1996 (aged 23) | Paris Saint-Germain | 2016 | 2022 | 55 | 14 |
| 22 | Nélson Oliveira | FW | (1991-08-08)8 August 1991 (aged 27) | loan from Norwich City | 2019 | 2019 | 10 | 3 |
| 23 | Jón Daði Böðvarsson | FW | (1992-05-25)25 May 1992 (aged 26) | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2017 | 2020 | 56 | 16 |
| 43 | Danny Loader | FW | (2000-08-28)28 August 2000 (aged 18) | Academy | 2016 | | 23 | 1 |
| 45 | Ben House | FW | (1999-07-05)5 July 1999 (aged 19) | Academy | 2017 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| | Sam Smith | FW | (1998-03-08)8 March 1998 (aged 21) | Academy | 2016 | 2021 | 12 | 2 |
| Out on loan ||||||||||
| 1 | Vito Mannone | GK | (1988-03-02)2 March 1988 (aged 31) | Sunderland | 2017 | 2020 | 47 | 0 |
| 14 | Sone Aluko | FW | (1989-02-19)19 February 1989 (aged 30) | Fulham | 2017 | 2021 | 60 | 4 |
| 25 | Adrian Popa | MF | (1988-07-24)24 July 1988 (aged 30) | Steaua București | 2017 | 2020 | 17 | 1 |
| 28 | Danzell Gravenberch | DF | (1994-02-13)13 February 1994 (aged 25) | Dordrecht | 2016 | 2019 | 5 | 0 |
| 29 | Marc McNulty | FW | (1992-09-14)14 September 1992 (aged 26) | Coventry City | 2018 | 2022 | 15 | 1 |
| 36 | Andrija Novakovich | FW | (1996-09-21)21 September 1996 (aged 22) | University School of Milwaukee | 2014 | 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| | Luke Southwood | GK | (1997-12-06)6 December 1997 (aged 21) | Academy | 2016 | 2020 | 0 | 0 |
| | Darren Sidoel | DF | (1998-03-10)10 March 1998 (aged 21) | Ajax | 2018 | 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| | Joey van den Berg | MF | (1986-02-13)13 February 1986 (aged 33) | SC Heerenveen | 2016 | 2019 | 68 | 2 |
| Left during the season ||||||||||
| 7 | Leandro Bacuna | MF | (1991-08-21)21 August 1991 (aged 27) | Aston Villa | 2017 | 2021 | 66 | 5 |
| 16 | David Edwards | MF | (1986-02-03)3 February 1986 (aged 33) | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2017 | 2019 | 35 | 3 |
| 18 | Yann Kermorgant | FW | (1981-11-08)8 November 1981 (aged 37) | Bournemouth | 2016 | 2019 | 92 | 24 |
| 19 | Josh Sims | MF | (1997-03-28)28 March 1997 (aged 22) | loan from Southampton | 2018 | 2019 | 16 | 0 |
| 20 | Tiago Ilori | DF | (1993-02-26)26 February 1993 (aged 26) | Liverpool | 2017 | 2020 | 64 | 1 |
| 22 | Pelle Clement | MF | (1996-05-19)19 May 1996 (aged 22) | AFC Ajax | 2017 | 2020 | 29 | 0 |
| 26 | George Evans | CM | (1994-12-13)13 December 1994 (aged 24) | Manchester City | 2016 | 2019 | 72 | 4 |
| 37 | Axel Andrésson | DF | (1998-01-27)27 January 1998 (aged 21) | Academy | 2016 | 2020 | 2 | 0 |

### 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 |
| 1 | GK | ITA | Vito Mannone (at Minnesota United 1 January 2020) |
| 14 | MF | NGA | Sone Aluko (at Beijing Renhe until end of 2019 season) |
| 25 | MF | ROU | Adrian Popa (at Ludogorets Razgrad until end of 2018/19 season) |
| 29 | FW | SCO | Marc McNulty (at Hibernian until end of 2018-19 season) |
| 36 | FW | USA | Andrija Novakovich (at Fortuna Sittard until end of 2018/19 season) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | GK | ENG | Luke Southwood (at Eastleigh until end of 2018/19 season) |
| — | DF | NED | Danzell Gravenberch (at K.S.V. Roeselare until end of 2018/19 season) |
| — | DF | NED | Darren Sidoel (at K.S.V. Roeselare until end of 2018/19 season) |
| — | MF | NED | Joey van den Berg (at NEC until end of 2018/19 season, with obligation to buy) |

### 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 |
| 7 | MF | CUW | Leandro Bacuna (to Cardiff City) |
| 16 | MF | WAL | David Edwards (to Shrewsbury Town) |
| 18 | FW | FRA | Yann Kermorgant |
| 19 | MF | ENG | Josh Sims (loan return to Southampton) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 20 | DF | POR | Tiago Ilori (to Sporting CP) |
| 22 | MF | NED | Pelle Clement (to PEC Zwolle) |
| 26 | MF | ENG | George Evans (to Derby County) |
| 37 | DF | ISL | Axel Andrésson (to Viking) |

## Competitions
### Championship
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
| 17 | Birmingham City | 46 | 14 | 19 | 13 | 64 | 58 | +6 | 52 | |
| 18 | Wigan Athletic | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 51 | 64 | −13 | 52 | |
| 19 | Queens Park Rangers | 46 | 14 | 9 | 23 | 53 | 71 | −18 | 51 | |
| 20 | Reading | 46 | 10 | 17 | 19 | 49 | 66 | −17 | 47 | |
| 21 | Millwall | 46 | 10 | 14 | 22 | 48 | 64 | −16 | 44 | |
| 22 | Rotherham United (R) | 46 | 8 | 16 | 22 | 52 | 83 | −31 | 40 | Relegation to EFL League One |
| 23 | Bolton Wanderers (R) | 46 | 8 | 8 | 30 | 29 | 78 | −49 | 32 | Relegation to EFL League One |
* 1 2 3 The transfers of Yiadom, Meyler & O'Shea were announced prior to the completion of the transfer. The players officially joined the club on 1 July 2018.
* ↑ Age as of the end of the season
* ↑ 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.
* ↑ Liam Moore was born in Loughborough, England, but qualified to represent Jamaica, and made his international debut for Jamaica in March 2021.
* ↑ Garath McCleary was born in Oxford, England, but qualified to represent Jamaica and made his international debut for Jamaica in February 2013.
* ↑ Callum Harriott was born in Norbury, England, but qualified to represent Guyana, making his international debut for Guyana in March 2019.
* ↑ Liam Kelly was born in Basingstoke, England, but qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland through his parents, representing the Republic of Ireland at U19 and U21 level.
* ↑ Jost Barrett was born in Oxford, England, but qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland, representing the Republic of Ireland at U16, U17, U19 and U21 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.
* ↑ Leandro Bacuna was born in Groningen, Netherlands, but qualified to represent Curaçao and made his international debut for Curaçao in March 2016. He previously represented Netherlands Antilles at U20 level and Netherlands at U19 and U21 level.
* ↑ David Edwards was born in Pontesbury, England, but qualified to represent Wales and made his international debut for Nigeria in November 2007. He previously represented Wales at U21 level.
* ↑ Tiago Ilori was born in Hampstead, England, but qualified to represent Portugal through his mother, representing Portugal at U18, U19, U20, U21 and U23 level.
* ↑ Birmingham City were deducted 9 points for failure to comply with the EFL profitability and sustainability rules.
* ↑ Brentford were awarded a 1–0 win over Bolton due to Bolton's inability to hold the fixture.

#### Result summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 5 May 2019. Source: Results

#### Results by matchday

| Round | 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 | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H |
| Result | L | L | L | D | D | L | W | L | W | D | L | L | W | L | L | W | D | D | L | D | L | D | L | L | D | L | W | L | D | D | D | W | L | D | W | W | L | D | W | L | D | W | D | D | L | D |
| Position | 19 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 |

#### Results
### EFL Cup

The second round draw was made from the Stadium of Light on 16 August.

### FA Cup
## Squad statistics

    As of match played 5 May 2019

### 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 | WAL | Chris Gunter | 24 | 0 | 18+5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | GHA | Andy Yiadom | 47 | 1 | 44 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | IRL | John O'Shea | 11 | 0 | 7+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | IRL | Paul McShane | 5 | 0 | 4+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | ENG | Liam Moore | 41 | 1 | 38 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | ENG | Sam Baldock | 23 | 5 | 15+6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | ENG | John Swift | 37 | 4 | 28+6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 12 | MF | JAM | Garath McCleary | 32 | 0 | 14+17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | GUY | Callum Harriott | 13 | 1 | 2+10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | ENG | Lewis Baker | 19 | 1 | 17+2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | GAM | Modou Barrow | 38 | 4 | 25+11 | 4 | 0+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | ENG | Ovie Ejaria | 16 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | USA | Matt Miazga | 18 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | FW | CIV | Yakou Méïté | 40 | 13 | 31+6 | 12 | 0+1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 22 | FW | POR | Nélson Oliveira | 10 | 3 | 9+1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | FW | ISL | Jón Daði Böðvarsson | 20 | 6 | 9+11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | DF | ENG | Tyler Blackett | 31 | 0 | 28+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 26 | GK | ARG | Emiliano Martínez | 18 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | DF | ENG | Omar Richards | 13 | 0 | 9+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 28 | GK | ENG | Sam Walker | 9 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 31 | GK | FIN | Anssi Jaakkola | 16 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | MF | IRN | Saeid Ezatolahi | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | MF | ENG | Andy Rinomhota | 28 | 1 | 24+2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 38 | MF | IRL | Liam Kelly | 22 | 1 | 17+3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 39 | MF | IRL | Josh Barrett | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 42 | MF | ENG | Ryan East | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 43 | FW | ENG | Danny Loader | 22 | 1 | 8+13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 46 | DF | SCO | Tom McIntyre | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 48 | MF | FRA | Michael Olise | 4 | 0 | 2+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 49 | DF | ENG | Teddy Howe | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Players away from the club on loan: ||||||||||||
| 1 | GK | ITA | Vito Mannone | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | IRL | David Meyler | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | FW | NGA | Sone Aluko | 20 | 1 | 13+6 | 1 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | MF | ROU | Adrian Popa | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | FW | SCO | Marc McNulty | 15 | 1 | 4+9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 47 | DF | ENG | Gabriel Osho | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Players who appeared for Reading but left during the season: ||||||||||||
| 7 | MF | CUW | Leandro Bacuna | 28 | 3 | 23+3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | ENG | Josh Sims | 17 | 0 | 5+11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 20 | DF | POR | Tiago Ilori | 22 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 22 | MF | NED | Pelle Clement | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |

### Goal scorers

| Place | Position | Nation | Number | Name | Championship | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
| 1 | FW | | 21 | Yakou Méïté | 12 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| 2 | FW | | 23 | Jón Daði Böðvarsson | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 3 | FW | | 9 | Sam Baldock | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 4 | FW | | 17 | Modou Barrow | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | MF | | 10 | John Swift | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | MF | | 7 | Leandro Bacuna | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | FW | | 22 | Nélson Oliveira | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | DF | | 6 | Liam Moore | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | DF | | 20 | Tiago Ilori | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | DF | | 3 | Andy Yiadom | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | MF | | 38 | Liam Kelly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | FW | | 29 | Marc McNulty | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | MF | | 15 | Callum Harriott | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | FW | | 14 | Sone Aluko | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | MF | | 18 | Ovie Ejaria | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | MF | | 16 | Lewis Baker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | MF | | 35 | Andy Rinomhota | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | FW | | 43 | Danny Loader | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | | | | Own goal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 49 | 0 | 2 | 51 |

### Clean sheets

| Place | Position | Nation | Number | Name | Championship | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
| 1 | GK | | 26 | Emiliano Martínez | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | GK | | 31 | Anssi Jaakkola | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | GK | | 1 | Sam Walker | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | 9 | 0 | 1 | 10 |

### Disciplinary record

| Number | Nation | Position | Name | Championship | Championship | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Total | Total |
| 2 | | DF | Chris Gunter | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 3 | | DF | Andy Yiadom | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 4 | | DF | John O'Shea | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | | DF | Liam Moore | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 9 | | FW | Sam Baldock | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 10 | | MF | John Swift | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 12 | | MF | Garath McCleary | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 15 | | MF | Callum Harriott | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 16 | | MF | Lewis Baker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | | FW | Modou Barrow | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 18 | | MF | Ovie Ejaria | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 19 | | DF | Matt Miazga | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | | FW | Yakou Méïté | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 22 | | FW | Nélson Oliveira | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 24 | | DF | Tyler Blackett | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 26 | | GK | Emiliano Martínez | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 27 | | DF | Omar Richards | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 32 | | MF | Saeid Ezatolahi | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 35 | | MF | Andy Rinomhota | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 38 | | MF | Liam Kelly | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 43 | | FW | Danny Loader | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Players away on loan: ||||||||||||
| 8 | | MF | David Meyler | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Players who left Reading during the season: ||||||||||||
| 7 | | MF | Leandro Bacuna | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 19 | | MF | Josh Sims | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 20 | | DF | Tiago Ilori | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 80 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 83 | 3 |

## Awards
### Player of the season

Player of the season :
| # | Position | Player |
| 1 | MF | Andy Rinomhota |
| 2 | DF | Andy Yiadom |
| 3 | FW | Yakou Méïté |