Academy Profiles

Shot-stopper who started off down the pecking order but gradually fought his way up to the fringes of the U18s in 2011/12.  

The confident and agile 'keeper has previously spent time out on loan with Oxford United and has been at the Academy since 2003.

David Dodds: “Whatever you give Daniel, he gets on with. He went out on loan last season, did well and came back to continue his hard work.”

Date of Birth: 26/05/1995

A tall goalkeeper that signed from Portsmouth in 2011 as a first year scholar. Spent a successful spell on loan at non-league side Southern Football League side Hungerford Town in 2011/12.

David Dodds: “He is raw and the goalkeeping coach has been working on his technique with him. He has a lot of potential and should really kick on soon.”

08/09/1994

A tall centre-half with all the required physical attributes of a modern footballer. He is strong, quick off the mark and agile. Rob has been with the Reading Academy since 2004.

Assistant Academy Manager, David Dodds: “We’re looking to work with Rob on his awareness and aerial ability. We have high hopes for him.”

Date of Birth: 03/03/1996

A cultured centre-back who is a good stamp at 6 foot. Joined the club in 2008 and made his first start for the U18s in the last match of 2011/12 against Birmingham.

David Dodds: “He’s very comfortable on the ball and has good balance – he has definitely caught the eye.”

Date of Birth: 20/12/1995

Full-back who joined the academy in 2006 and is a natural leader of the scholars. Bismark has devastating pace and agility and rarely lets his opponent get past him. He is learning to be more relaxed on the ball as he continues his development and his high work rate can only stand him in good stead.

David Dodds: “Bismark is a fantastic character with a massive desire to do well.”

Date of Birth: 03/09/1994

Irish left-back who signed for the Royals in 2011. He is a modern day full-back in that he is very quick and is distributes the ball well from the back. Shane came over from Ireland as a schoolboy and impressed the coaches after training with the Academy for six months. He had a great first season here as first choice left back for the U18s.

David Dodds: “We’re just trying to get him to be a bit more vocal, stamp his authority on the back four. Once he does that, he’ll kick on and become a great player."

08/09/1994

Tall left-back who only joined the Academy in April 2012. He will aim to showcase his talent with the U18s in his first full season at the club. 

"George is a pacey and dogged defender who is never shy of wanting the ball."

Date of Birth: 10/12/1995

Right-back who joined the Academy late, in 2011, and went almost straight in to the U18s team. Niall is the son of former Royal, Martin, who played regularly for both Arsenal and England.

David Dodds: "He's a very bright boy academically and has natural footballing ability. Has the potential to do well."

A former centre back that has transformed into a left-back as his growth halted.  Progressed through the age groups at Reading since 2006. Ben is versatile in that he can also play as a holding midfielder.

David Dodds: “We’re working a lot more on his distribution and his one-on-one defending in wide areas. He broke into the scholars team a couple of times last season and didn’t do badly at all.”

Date of Birth: 04/09/1994

A towering centre-back who, at 6ft 4, is very strong in the air but also composed with the ball at his feet. Played all season for the U18s in 2011/12 and has also made the step up to the reserve team. Chips in with the odd goal from set pieces including a header against West Brom in the second round of the FA Youth Cup at the Madejski Stadium.

David Dodds: “Probably the most improved player last year. He’s looked comfortable playing in the reserves.”

Date of Birth: 03/02/1995

Technically gifted and versatile player that is comfortable in midfield or at full-back. Composed on the ball and always full of energy. Jack has been with the club since 2004.

David Dodds: “Jack is very aerobically sound and could develop into a top player.”

Pacey but raw winger who used to favour playing as a forward. Joined the Royals in 2011 and will hope to gain a regular spot for the U18s.

David Dodds: “Karl can run like lightning. We’re just teaching him when to go past people and helping him on his movement patterns.”

Date of Birth: 15/05/1995

Agile attacking player with great awareness. Can play on the wing, as a striker or as an attacking midfielder. Josh joined in 2007 and will be looking to make 2012/13 the year to realise his potential.

David Dodds: “He is one of the quickest boys in the squad agility-wise. We’re just trying to get him to come out of his shell a bit.”

Date of Birth: 14/10/1994

Tall and energetic centre-midfield player with great ball control and a natural ability to protect the ball. Aaron has been with the club since 2008 and signed his first professional contract when he was 16-years-old. The gifted youngster has trained a few times with Chris Cummins and the development squad - and has also featured for the U21s.

David Dodds: “He is now learning to compete in the air and has improved massively on his defensive responsibilities.”

Date of Birth: 02/01/1995

Towering Irish player who joined the Royals Academy in 2012 after a successful trial amid interest from several other clubs. Has represented Republic of Ireland at u15 level, scoring a wonder goal against the Quatari Aspire Academy in 2010.

David Dodds: “A raw player who we need to fit into the tempo of the game here in England, but he has a lot of potential."

30/06/1996

Centre-midfield player who joined the club in 2005 and excels with the ball at his feet. Andrew impressed during a loan spell at Thatcham Town towards the end of last season.

David Dodds: “He is very good on the ball and is working hard on his ability to get around the pitch.”

Date of Birth: 03/01/1995

Energetic attacking midfielder or winger who loves to have the ball at his feet. Shepherd joined in 2008. He was struck with an illness last season which knocked him back but is starting to show his early promise again. 

David Dodds: “He’s very athletic and can go past defenders without thinking about it.”

Date of Birth: 15/11/1994

Joined the Academy in April 2012 after impressing when playing against the scholars in a friendly match. Jack is an agile player who has a good eye for goal.

David Dodds: “He is very mobile, really clever coming off shoulders, and scores goals. He was very unfortunate with a knee injury which has held him back a bit but hopefully he can get fit soon.”

Date of Birth: 19/06/1996

Liam has come through the ranks of the academy since joining in 2004. He is a pint-sized midfielder who is one of the Royals Academy’s quickest players over ten metres. Has good vision for a young player and a wide range of passes at his disposal.

David Dodds: “He’s a small player, but luckily for him Spain are the flavour of the month!”

Date of Birth: 22/11/1995

A talented winger who is capable of going past players using both skill on the ball and his rapid acceleration. Tarique left an impression on spectators in the U16s friendly against Watford at the Madejski Stadium in May 2012 with a dazzling display on the wing.

David Dodds: “He’s been learning how to get in behind defenders and is working on his defensive responsibilities.”

Date of Birth: 05/11/1995

Centre midfielder who defends well and can also get forward. Aaron is the son of Youth Development Coach Martin Kuhl and joined the club in 2008. He made his breakthrough in 2011/12 when he made his debut for the U18s in the final match against Birmingham.

David Dodds: “He’s got a lot of raw potential.”

Date of Birth: 30/01/1996

An attacking player who likes to get in behind the defence. Scored a fantastic solo goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers last season after a jinking run. Has now been with the club since 2009.

David Dodds: "He's an exciting young player who is now developing the defensive side to his game."

An attacking player who joined the Academy late in 2011. Germaine best suits playing as part of a front three, either on the wing or through the middle. He is a direct player who can put fear into the eyes of defenders.

David Dodds: “Germaine has good pace and can go past a defender both with and without the ball. We’re trying to teach him the base game such as movement patterns.” 

Date of Birth: 01/12/1995

Strong centre forward who has been at Reading since 2010. De’Jaune can devastate teams on his day and could become a top player if he can consistently perform to his highest standard.

David Dodds said, “He was absolutely electric early in the season last year so we’re just trying to prize that out of him and get some consistency out of him.”

Date of Birth: 10/12/1995