Reading FC have signed young defender Michael Stickland up on a new one-year contract.
Following on from yesterday;s announcement that young duo John Ryan and John Clarke had both extended their deals, Stickland becomes the latest to put pen to paper.
Since Rob Couhig took ownership of the club last month, Reading have also signed Lewis Wing and Joel Pereira to new contracts and signed former Lincoln City captain Paudie O’Connor on a free transfer on a four-year deal.
Stickland, like Ryan and Clarke, will be expected to make the jump up to the senior side next season to form part of the squad.
Royals boss Noel Hunt, said: “We’re delighted to get Stickers signed up for another season, he’s done great and has been here a long time. We felt that when he got his opportunity last season he came in and grabbed it really well, he was excellent.
“He’s a young defender, and we always say there is development to be made in young defenders in their early 20s, and he’s a really good competitor and is honest.
“The boys love him for what he is, and have grown to love him over the last five months, he’s become part of the culture in the First Team environment, which says a lot about his character.
“He’s a tough defender and he wants to defend, he takes pride in it and understands what it means to keep clean sheets, at a young age that’s excellent. He can speak across his back four and he stays calm and composed, and above all he is always keen to learn.”
