Lewis Ward has sent an emotional message to Reading on social media, after his decision to leave the Madejski Stadium to join Exeter City.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper has joined Exeter on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee, after 13 years with the Royals.

After the move was confirmed, Ward posted this message on his personal Twitter account, thanking the club for their support over the years and wishing them all the best for the future.

Ward never made a senior appearance for the Royals and spent time on loan at various clubs.

The goalkeeper spent the first half of last season on loan at Northampton Town, where he conceded four goals in five appearances and kept one clean sheet.

The shot-stopper spent the second half of last season on loan at Forest Green Rovers and kept five clean sheets in twelve appearances in League Two, as Mark Cooper's side reached the play-offs.

Exeter finished ninth in the League Two table last season, just one point outside the play-offs and missed out on a place in the top seven on the final day of the campaign.

The Verdict

Ward probably wasn't going to get a proper chance at Reading next season, so it makes sense for him to leave the club in search of regular first-team football.

Even though he didn't make a senior appearance for the Royals, I'm sure it would have been a difficult decision for him to leave the club, as a boyhood Reading fan and having come through the club's academy.

He is a decent goalkeeper though and did well while on loan at Forest Green in League Two last season, so he could be a decent signing for Exeter.