Michael Craig Leaves Reading For Leyton Orient.

Craig declined “multiple multi-year contracts” with the Royals this summer.

Farewell to Michael Craig, who has opted to leave Reading. The 22-year-old has instead accepted a contract with rival League One club Leyton Orient.

The Royals made it apparent in their release that they attempted to keep him, stating that “multiple multi-year contracts” were on the table.

Perhaps this is an homage to the reality that the majority of the club’s recent contract transactions has been one-year terms (which include Andy Yiadom, Jeriel Dorsett, and others).

Orient’s choice to offer him a two-year contract, however, implies that Craig’s decision was influenced by more than just contract length.

Craig would have struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular in his preferred centre-midfield position if he had remained in Berkshire, as Lewis Wing is… well… very, very good. Orient, on the other hand, are expected to lose midfielder Ethan Galbraith to Swansea City, creating an opportunity.

This news feels similar to Jayden Wareham’s departure (he joined Exeter City). Both are young, promising players who may reasonably hope to play regular first-team football in League One, but who will likely find it simpler elsewhere.

Such losses are arguably an unavoidable consequence of Reading’s recent club change. Last season, the Royals relied on promoting young players faster than they would have otherwise, but they will now need to prioritise more experienced, established talent in the first team if a promotion push is to be successful.

Whatever the case may be, Craig’s death is truly tragic. He’s a talented, hard-working, and tenacious individual who has been a regular member of the team for the past few years. Craig appeared 58 times in League One for Reading, playing both in midfield (2023/24) and at right back (2024/25).

Reading enthusiasts can at least console themselves with some upfront cash. Because of Craig’s age, the Royals were entitled to compensation from Orient, but the figure has been agreed upon between the two clubs (an undisclosed fee) rather than going to a tribunal.

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