The 2017–18 season was Reading's 147th year in existence and fifth consecutive season in the Championship, and covers the period from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.
Season review
Pre-season
On 31 May, Reading announced that they would be returning to the Netherlands for a 10-day training camp. On 6 June, Reading announced that they would host two behind-doors friendlies with QPR at the club's Hogwood Park training facility, with the fixtures taking place on 8 July.
On 16 June 2017, Reading were given a home tie against League One side Gillingham in the EFL Cup first-round draw. In the following days, it was announced that the match would take place on 8 August.
For the second year in a row, Reading accepted the invitation to enter their Category One academy into the EFL Trophy.
On 4 July 2017, manager Jaap Stam signed a new two-year contract with Reading, keeping him at the club until 2019. The club's assistant manager, Andries Ulderink, and first team coach, Said Bakkati, also signed new deals to extend their stay. Chief Executive Nigel Howe was elected to the EFL Board on the same day. The following day, defender Chris Gunter committed his future to the club by signing a new three-year contract extension.
On 6 July, Reading announced that whilst they are in the Netherlands on their pre-season tour, they will play in friendlies against K.V. Kortrijk, of the Belgian top flight, and Turkish Süper Lig club Gençlerbirliği on 15 July, and Dutch Eredivisie team Sparta Rotterdam and Belgian second tier side Cercle Brugge on 22 July. The same day, Liam Kelly joined Stam and Gunter by extending his contract until 2020; youngsters Sam Smith, Ryan East, Jake Sheppard, Lewis Ward and Andy Rinomhota all agreed new deal; Liam Driscoll, Ben House, Joel Rollinson and Ade Shokunbi moved unto the U-23s from the U18's whilst Ethan Coleman, Tom Holmes and Kosta Sparta signed professional deals.
On 27 July, Steven Reid left the club to pursue new coaching opportunities and challenges.
On 29 July, Reading hosted KNVB Cup winners SBV Vitesse in a friendly match at Wycombe Wanderers' Adams Park. The venue was chosen due to the renovation of the pitch at the Madejski Stadium. The match, which was Reading's only pre-season friendly to take place in front of spectators in the UK, saw Reading lose 3–2.
On 31 July, John Swift signed a new five-year contract with Reading, keeping him at the club until 2022, whilst Liam Moore signed a new four-year deal on 2 August.
Transfers Following the conclusion of the 2016–17 regular season, Reading announced on 16 May 2016 that they would not be renewing the contracts of Aaron Kuhl, Harrison Bennett, Stuart Moore, Joe Tupper, Terence Vancooten, Sean Long, Craig Tanner, Jack Denton and Harry Cardwell. Long went on to sign for Lincoln City on 18 May, whilst Dominic Hyam agreed to join Coventry City on 24 May.
On 19 June, Tarique Fosu moved permanently to Charlton Athletic after turning down a new contract at Reading.
On 26 June, Reading announced that two academy players would be leaving the club. Zak Jules had turned down a new contract with the club and had signed for Shrewsbury Town, while Jack Stacey had moved to Luton Town on a permanent deal. Additionally, two players left the club on loan on the same day. Deniss Rakels completed his move to Lech Poznań for the season and Jonathan Bond transferred to Peterborough United until 3 January 2018. On 28 June, Reading announced their first signing of the summer, Pelle Clement on a three-year contract from AFC Ajax.
On 1 July, Niall Keown moved to Partick Thistle for an undisclosed fee, rejoining the club he spent the second half of the previous season at. The following day, Reading announced that Andrija Novakovich had signed a new 2-year contract with the club and that he would spend the 2017–18 season on loan at Eerste Divisie side SC Telstar. On 4 July, Danzell Gravenberch moved to K.S.V. Roeselare on a season-long loan deal.
The contract of Danny Williams was not extended, despite a contract offer being made by Reading. He was officially released by the club on 1 July, signing for Premier League newcomers Huddersfield Town four days later.
Yakou Méïte signed a season-long loan deal with Sochaux on 8 July.
Reading completed their second signing of the summer on 14 July, Jón Daði Böðvarsson signing on a three-year contract from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Two days later, Saudi club Al-Hilal confirmed the signing of Ali Al-Habsi on a three-year contract, with Reading confirming the move on 17 July. Academy graduate Dominic Samuel left the club on 19 July, signing a three-year deal with Blackburn Rovers for an undisclosed fee, whilst Vito Mannone joined the club on a three-year contract from Sunderland for £2,000,000. Paolo Hurtado left the club on 20 July, having played 6 times for the Royals in his two-year spell, returning to Vitória de Guimarães on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.
Reading announced that Jake Cooper had signed for Millwall on a permanent deal on 28 July 2017. On 1 August, Robert Dickie joined Lincoln City on loan until January 2018, whilst Lewis Ward moved to Hungerford Town on loan until the end of February 2018.
Modou Barrow became Reading's fourth summer signing on 3 August, signing a four-year deal, before young goalkeeper Luke Southwood joined Bath City on a six-month loan deal the next day. On 11 August, youngsters Cameron Green and Conor Davis joined Basingstoke Town on an initial one-month loan, with Leandro Bacuna became Reading's fifth summer arrival, signing a four-year deal, on 13 August. Reading transfer dealings then went quiet for two weeks before announced the signing of David Edwards on a two-year contract from Wolverhampton Wanderers on 26 August.
Three days later, 29 August, Reading signed Sone Aluko to a four-year contract, moving from Fulham for an undisclosed fee, with Sandro Wieser joining K.S.V. Roeselare on a season-long load deal on 31 August, transfer deadline day.
August Reading started the season, on 5 August, with a 0–2 away defeat to Queens Park Rangers, Conor Washington gave QPR the lead in the 22nd minute before doubling his, and QPR's, goals on from the penalty spot on the 59th minute after Tiago Ilori earned a red card for the challenge on Pawel Wszolek. Three days later Reading faced Gillingham in the first round of the EFL Cup, winning 2–0 thanks to two Liam Kelly goals. Andy Rinomhota and Sam Smith made their debuts for Reading from the start whilst Axel Andrésson also made his debut, coming on as a second-half substitute. Reading's first home league game came on 12 August against Fulham, where Tomáš Kalas was shown a straight red card in the 1st minute for pulling back Modou Barrow. Liam Kelly then gave Reading the lead in the 61st minute with his third goal of the season, before former Reading player Lucas Piazon equalised in the 82nd minute to give Fulham the draw. Reading followed up their first point of the season with a trip to Aston Villa on 15 August. The game finished 2–1 to Reading with the lead coming after an Adrian Popa cross deflected off Glenn Whelan into his own net in the 49th minute. Modou Barrow extended Readings lead 6 minutes later with his first goal for the club, before Conor Hourihane pulled a goal back late on. Reading suffered their second defeat of the season away to Preston North End on 19 August, with the only goal of the game being scored by Jordan Hugill in the 22nd minute. Reading got back to winning ways on 22 August, with a 3–1 extra time victory over Millwall in the Second Round of the EFL Cup. Shane Ferguson cancelled out Leandro Bacuna's first goal for the club, before George Evans scored on the stroke of half time in extra and Sam Smith scored his first goal for Reading with 4 minutes to go. Reading traveled to St Andrew's on 26 August to face Birmingham City, with goals from Jón Daði Böðvarsson and George Evans securing the three-points. On 30 August, Reading announced that Jordan Obita had signed a new three-year contract with the club, and that skipper Paul McShane extending his contract until 2019.
On 31 August Reading's home game against Barnsley, due to take place on 12 September, was postponed as Barnsley's Second Round EFL Cup match against Derby County was moved to the same date.
September At the start of September Young keeper Liam Driscoll joined Staines Town on loan. Readings first game of September took place on the 9th, with Bristol City visiting the Madejski Stadium and leaving with a 1–0 win after Aden Flint scored an 84th-minute winner for the visitors. On 8 September, Reading confirmed that their home game against Barnsley, originally scheduled for 12 September, had been re-arranged for 28 November. Readings next game was on 16 September, away to Brentford. Brentford took the lead in the 16th minute through Josh Clarke before Liam Moore was fouled in the box and Liam Kelly slotted the equaliser in from the spot to earn Reading a point. On 19 September Reading hosted Swansea City in the Third round of the EFL Cup. After a goalless first half Alfie Mawson broke the deadlock with near post header from a corner in the 52nd minute before a George Evans pass struck the referee, Andy Davies in the centre circle, with ball breaking to Swansea and Jordan Ayew finishing the move off to see Swansea City win 2–0 and advance into the next round. On 23 September Reading hosted Hull City, after a first half Fraizer Campbell goal for the visitors, substitute Jón Daði Böðvarsson scored in the 87th minute to give both teams a point. Reading lost to Millwall on the 26th at The Den. Dave Edwards gave Reading the lead in the 73rd minute with his first goal for the club, before George Saville scored twice in the last 10 minutes to give the hosts all three points. On 27 September, Joey van den Berg extended his contract with Reading until the summer of 2019. On 30 September, Reading hosted Norwich City in a live Sky Sports game. Norwich took the lead through James Maddison in the 10th minute, with Liam Moore equalising a few minutes later to leave the teams level at half time. Early in the second half Cameron Jerome scored the winner for Norwich with Marley Watkins being sentoff for a dangerous tackle on Chris Gunter in stoppage time.
October Reading started October with an away trip to Leeds United, on 14 October. Reading took the lead through former Leeds loanee Modou Barrow in the 84th minute, before Vito Mannone saved a 91st minute Pablo Hernández penalty to give Reading the win. The following Saturday, 21st, Reading faced Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The Blades went 2–0 up before halftime with goals from Paul Coutts and Billy Sharp, before Roy Beerens gave Reading hope of a point with a late consolation goal to end the game 2–1 to Sheffield United. Middlesbrough were the visitors to the Madejski Stadium on 28 October, and ran out 2–0 winners over Reading thanks to a Grant Leadbitter first half penalty and Britt Assombalonga early in the second half. Reading's last game of October was a home game against Nottingham Forest on 31 October. John Swift gave Reading the lead in the 10th minute before scoring his, and Reading's second midway through the second half. Sone Aluko scored his first Reading goal in the 78th minute to give Reading a 3–0 lead, before Ben Osborn scored a late consolation goal for Nottingham Forest in the final 5 minutes, leaving Reading 3–1 winners.
November