Reading FC have confirmed that Omar Richards has agreed a new contract with the club, with the talented defender agreeing a new three-and-a-half year deal at the Madejski Stadium.  

The Royals have secured the full-back’s long-term future, with Richards now contracted at the Madejski until the summer of 2021.

Richards, 19, has been rewarded for a fine start to senior football, with the defender breaking into the first-team under Jaap Stam this season.

Stam handed Richards his first-team debut from the bench back in August, with the left-back making a substitute appearance in the 2-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers on the opening day of the Championship season.

Richards then went on to make his full league debut in the Carabao Cup clash with Gillingham just three days later, before Stam eventually handed the defender his first Championship start for the Royals in the 4-2 victory over Derby County earlier this month.

Since his full league debut against Derby in early November, Richards has not featured, but was named amongst the substitutes against Wolves, Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday.

However, the youngster missed out on Stam’s matchday 18 for Tuesday night’s 3-0 victory over Barnsley at the Madejski Stadium.

The Verdict

This is huge news for Reading, and will provide everyone associated with the Royals a huge boost heading into the festive period.

Richards has made a promising start to life with Reading’s first-team, and although he is yet to establish himself as a first-team regular, he has done enough to give the Royals encouragement.

After signing his deal, the 19-year-old now has the perfect opportunity to kick on in the first-team.

Reading fans… Let us know your thoughts!