Chairman John Madejski dipped into his personal fortune to pay the £1m fee that took Leroy from Bristol City in the summer of 2005, and it was a Club record at the time.

The Congo-born striker started his career as a trainee at Chelsea, and joined Bristol City at the age of 16. Rapidly became an important player for the Ashton Gate side, and scored 30 goals in the 2004/5 season, earning his England under 21 debut in the process.

A natural goalscorer, he scored on his Reading debut in the 2005/6 season opener against Plymouth.  Had an impressive first season as a Royals player, netting 15 goals in total from 32 games.

After a stop-start opening, he soon established himself in the Premiership and scored against Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea among others.

Played in the first game at the new Wembley for England's under 21s against Italy, before scoring three times in the u21s European Championships, making the team of the tournament as well.

Spent a loan spell at Charlton during the 2007/8 season before returning to score for us in the final game at Derby. At the beginning of the next campaign he sealed a loan switch to Norwich.