Derby County stalwart among eight former Reading FC stars released.
Eight former Reading players have already been released by English Football League clubs this summer, with more coming. May is often an exciting month for football fans, as clubs release retained lists and the much-anticipated transfer market opens later in the summer. Reading discharged six first-team players last week, including veteran players such as David Button and Harlee Dean. Meanwhile, 11 players are discussing new contracts, and some will undoubtedly opt to leave. Take a look at the eight former Royals who are now available on the free agent market.
Ben Hamer– Sheffield Wednesday
Hamer began his career at Reading, making five cup appearances in five years with the first team, but has since gone on to have a long and successful career. After winning League One and League Two, he played regularly in the Championship and was even a member of Leicester City’s Premier League-winning squad, but not on the pitch. The 37-year-old made 21 appearances for Watford the previous season but did not appear for the Owls last season. Tyrese Fornah, Derby County A Reading youth who settled in the East Midlands, the midfielder was a regular under Paul Ince as the Royals were demoted in 2022/23, having joined on loan from Nottingham Forest.
The 25-year-old made nearly 50 appearances for League Two Salford City this season after playing 23 times for Derby County as the Rams were promoted back to the second division last season. He will leave Pride Park after this month.
The Republic of Ireland regular was a Rams legend in his first stay, making over 200 games, and went on to dazzle for Burnley before falling out of favour at Newcastle. The 33-year-old played every Championship fixture when the Royals were relegated in 2022/23. He spent last season at Sheffield Wednesday and was given a short-term contract at Derby last year but did not appear. Angus MacDonald, Exeter City MacDonald, a Reading Academy defender, made 0 first-team appearances for the club and spent the majority of his career on loan in non-league. After carving out a successful career in the second and third levels, the 32-year-old played at the highest level for Aberdeen in 2023/24.
The centre-back joined St James Park in February and scored once in seven games, but he is set to leave after three months. Stephen Quinn, Mansfield Town The Republic of Ireland international was an EFL stalwart when he arrived in Berkshire a decade ago, most notably with Sheffield United and Hull City, but he had a difficult three years with the club due to injuries. After 45 Reading appearances, he has spent more than a century playing for Burton Albion and Mansfield Town in the fourth and third tiers, respectively. Akin Odimayo, Northampton Town The defender made one appearance for Reading in 2018/19 but got regular playing time along the M4 with Swindon Town.
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