They Royals have recently formed a partnership with American club Charlotte United, and their Director Of Coaching Neil Orridge has given the official site readingfc.co.uk a full background on their links with Madejski Stadium.

Charlotte are one of the top youth clubs in the US, and we are partnered with them to help pass on our coaching expertise with both sexes, as well as hopefully keep an eye on their upcoming talented players.

Our entire womens team will go to visit the club later this year, and Royals skipper Graeme Murty is in talks about a possible end-of-season trip as well.

Neil explained, "I first came to Reading last year and was very impressed. We had been looking for a club to partner with for some time, and we first met because we are both Puma clubs.

"I initially came to the UK to meet with Tottenham but then came to a game at Madejski Stadium and that was impressive. I then meet Lee Herron [Reading's Community Manager] at a National Soccer Convention in Baltimore, completely coincidentally, and within a month we'd signed an agreement.

"We are the second biggest club in North Carolina and one of the top 30 in the US. We have more 132 teams, and we're very strong on the female side as well - the split of teams is 70 male, 52 female. We've got seven full time staff.

"The agreement helps us with lots of different things. Ulimately we want Reading's staff and coaches to come over with us and help educate our coaches.

"We also want to send our guys over here to learn how the Academy works - right from u7s to u18s.

"We run massive tournaments at home with teams from lots of different states, and Lee, as well as Natasha Caswell and Kelly Chambers from the womens' team, came over for the last one.

"They did training sessions and ran clinics and camps. One of them was in front of 200 girls which is fantastic for 'Tash and Kelly.

"Before that, your coach Ryan Williams and Lee had also been over for another tournament and helped us with our trials for new players.

"Our players range from those who just play for fun, all the way up to a couple of national players at u14 and u16.

"Ideally we'd like to send them over in April and get them to join in with the Academy, and then we can see how good they are.

"From Reading's perspective this is about getting the name out. Lots of other clubs have signed agreements - Chelsea and Manchester United are in North Carolina too.

"And if this helps get one more player for Reading - maybe a Marcus Hahnemann - then that has to be a benefit.

"In April we've got the womens team coming over during one of our tournaments. It's a great opportunity for them, but also for our kids.

"When Kelly and 'Tash came over they were treated just like a male first team player would be - that's the level of respect.

"And we're trying to get Graeme Murty to come over and do a camp. That would be a big coup for us."