The 2023–24 season is the 153rd season in the existence of Reading and their first season in the League One since the 2001–02 season following their relegation from the Championship the previous season and covers the period from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. In addition to the league, the club will also participate in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the EFL Trophy.

Season events

Pre-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.

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.

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.

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

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, and, later, with non-payment of taxes. If the charges are proven, Reading will start the 2023–24 League One season with points already deducted.

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, payed to the club in instalments and that Yakou Méïté had turned down a new contract with the club. 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.

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. Reading where also drawn away to Millwall in the First Round of the EFL Cup.

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

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

July
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.

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. 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.

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

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

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.

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

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. 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.

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

August
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.

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

On 9 August, Reading announced the signing of David Button, who'd left West Bromwich Albion the previous day, to a two-year contract. 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, 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.

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

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.

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

September
On 1 September, transfer deadline day, Dean Bouzanis re-joined Sutton United on loan until January 2024, whilst Jack Senga also joined Ayr United on a loan until January.
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, 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, and the signing of Clinton Mola to a one-year contract.

Squad

Transfers 

For those players sold, released or contract ended before the start of this season, see 2022–23 Reading F.C. season.

In

Loans in

Out

Loans out

Released

Trial

Friendlies

Competitions

Overall record

League One

League table

Results summary

Results by round

Matches

FA Cup

EFL Cup 

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

EFL Trophy 

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

Group stage

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

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Goal scorers

Clean sheets

Disciplinary record

References 

Reading
Reading F.C. seasons
English football clubs 2023–24 season