LIAM MOORE has been stripped of the captaincy at Reading FC after expressing his desire to leave the club.
Moore told manager Veljko Paunovic and the club directors that he intends to leave the club and pursue his career elsewhere.
A statement released on the clubs website reads: Obviously we are disappointed that Liam, a player awarded one of the club’s most significant contracts, has now stated his intention to move on.
“Whilst we have patiently waited for his representatives to provide us with options for us to consider in helping him fulfil that request, no offer or opportunity has been presented to the club to date.
“Our club, together with its manager, is intent on selecting players in the first team squad who are dedicated to giving their absolute all to Reading Football Club.
“That starts with our captain. As a result, Moore will no longer be given the honour of our club captaincy.”
Moore has been at Reading since 2016 when he joined from Leicester City.
At the beginning of the 2019/20 Championship campaign, Moore was handed the club captaincy.
He has made 216 league appearances for the Royals, including 17 games in this current campaign where he has scored two goals.
“Our owner, Mr Dai, has made significant financial commitment to Reading Football Club and continues to invest wholeheartedly in a project which remains very close to his heart.
“When football was forced behind closed doors during the pandemic, Mr Dai continued to support the club and his investment has been the catalyst in developing a state-of-the-art training facility, capable of attracting the best young talent to our club now and in the future.
“Although we have undeniably experienced a very difficult first half to our season, due in part to an unimaginable injury crisis which has most recently left us devoid of almost all our fit or available defensive options, we still demand loyalty, focus and committed performances from every individual who pulls on a Reading shirt in front of our fans.
“And we expect our players, particularly our new captain, to wear the crest with pride and dedicate their total focus to the club on behalf of its loyal fanbase.
“Mr Dai is fully supportive of the manager and his decisions and understanding of the hard few months we have endured both on and off the pitch. Together we are stronger and will prevail.”
