It has been a mixed start to the season for Jose Gomes' Reading, as the Royals begin to head into the first international break of the 2019/20 campaign.

Gomes' side, who eventually avoided relegation to League One at a canter last term, will have been hoping to carry that momentum across to this season under the Portuguese boss.

The Berkshire club got off to a stuttering start in the Championship, losing their opening two games against Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City, but they soon sprung into life after making a host of new signings.

The additions of George Puscas and Lucas Joao had the Royals' faithful talking, arriving for sizable fees from Inter Milan and Wednesday respectively along with the likes of Ovie Ejaria and Pele.

Now, after playing six games in the Championship, Reading occupy 16th spot in the league standings, with fans expecting their team to come back stronger after a short break.

The signings of Puscas and Joao have ultimately led to a departure taking place at the Madejski Stadium over the last couple of days - young forward Andrija Novakovich has completed a move to Italian Serie B side Frosinone.

The 22-year-old came through the ranks at Reading after making the move over from the USA, and made just three senior appearances during his time with the Royals despite impressing in the under-23s.

The American-born forward has tried his best to force himself into contention of a first-team spot, enjoying a couple of hugely impressive loan spells over in the Netherlands.

He spent last season on loan with SC Telstar, scoring an impressive 22 goals in 38 games, and also hit double figures for Fortuna Sittard the season before.

At the age of 22, Novakovich still has so many years ahead of him, and although he may not have been in Gomes' first-team plans, it wasn't for the want of trying.

The striker proved during his spells in the Netherlands, that if given regular game-time and using his strengths to full effect, he will score goals on a regular basis.

Aside from Danny Loader, Reading don't really have an out-and-out striker who can provide back-up to Puscas and Joao, who are likely to be Gomes' first choices up top this term.

As well as clearly having a lot of potential, though, Novakovich brings something different to the table - he's tall, quick and strong, and would have been a great option to have even from off the bench.

Reading fans have been left gobsmacked at his move to Italy, and it's not hard to see why.