Reading’s summer signings graded
Although Reading have been hampered this summer with a soft transfer embargo placed upon them by the EFL, the club have still managed to bring in numerous players this summer to strengthen the squad for the 2019/20 season.
Here are all the players that the Championship side have signed in this window as well as how good these signings have been in my opinion.
Joao Virginia (loan) – B
The 19 year old Everton goalkeeper has yet to be make a senior appearance in professional football, which might cost Reading the odd mistake with his inexperience. However, it’s understood that Everton are paying his wages, which is financially beneficial for the Royals.
A goalkeeper was desperately needed at the Madejski Stadium this summer and they’ve managed to get the Portuguese teenager on loan that keeps them well within FFP restrictions.
Michael Morrison – B
The former Birmingham City captain joined the Royals this summer on a two-year contract after being released by the West Midlands side. This signing will provide much needed depth in central defence and he will be a very capable backup for Moore and Miazga.
Although this isn’t the marquee signing that Royals’ fans have been craving throughout this window, he could be just as valuable.
Charlie Adam – C
The former Liverpool midfielder also joined on a free transfer this summer. Whilst he may not have long left in his playing career at 33 years old, he will only help to add more experience in the dressing room.
Matt Miazga (loan) – A
The return of Miazga has been the highlight of this summer for supporters of the Berkshire side. The USA international was part of the Reading squad last season that managed to stay up under Jose Gomes.
A lot of credit for this was given to Miazga, who came in as a replacement for Tiago Ilori to help shore up the defence. Even though this signing is another loan, it could go a long way in defining Reading’s season in terms of how well they do.
Lucas Boye (loan) – B
The signing of Boye will help Reading in their quest to find goals after previous defensive signings. Although Boye was primarily a winger at parent club Torino, he can also play anywhere across the front line including as a striker.
This versatility will only help Reading, who need to add depth to their squad whilst keeping within the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules. Although he’s never played in England before, he can use this to his advantage to utilise his unpredictability against opposition teams.
Rafael Cabral – A
The goalkeeper, who’s been capped for Brazil at senior level, terminated his contract at Serie A side Sampdoria so that he could sign for the Royals. This was the second goalkeeper signing that the Royals have made this summer after the departures of loanee Emiliano Martinez and Anssi Jaakkola.
Whether either of them can match Martinez’s levels remains to be seen. This is a great free transfer on paper regardless.
Pele (loan) – B
The one big plus of this signing is the fact that Pele has played in the Championship before, for Nottingham Forest last season on loan. This is a signing that the Royals have desperate needed, with Charlie Adam unlikely to feature in all of Reading’s games this season.
He will give Andy Rinomhota and John Swift the license to push up when Reading are on the attack. If this signing works out, it has the ability to be one of the most important moves that Reading have made this summer.
Lucas Joao – B
After scoring against Reading on Saturday, Joao arrived at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday from fellow Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
His initial fee of around £5m surprised supporters in Berkshire who weren’t expecting any big-money signings with their soft transfer embargo earlier this summer.
George Puscas – A
This is the biggest signing that Reading have made since the arrival of Sone Aluko two years ago. The 22-year-old joined from Inter Milan and there’s no doubt that this is a signing that will work out very, very well or could be a horrific piece of business.
Despite this, Reading have themselves a very promising player who has the ability to tear the Championship apart. Whether he can do that remains to be seen, he comes with a very good reputation from Italy, while also playing for Romania at youth international level.
Ovie Ejaria (loan) – A
After spending the second half of last season on loan at the Royals, Ejaria returned to Berkshire on deadline day, much to the satisfaction of Reading supporters. He was one of five loanees in January who helped steer Reading away from the relegation zone last season.