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Some footballers become synonymous with one club. Others enjoy careers so long and varied that a brief stop at another side is almost forgotten.
Reading have welcomed plenty of well-known names over the years, with some of football’s biggest personalities enjoying short spells in Berkshire.
Here are five household names you may have forgotten played for the Royals.
1. Martin Keown
Old school defender Martin Keown is best known for his success with Arsenal, where he played well over 400 games for the Gunners and was part of their iconic Invincible squad in 2003/04.
The centre-back, who won 43 England caps, did also have a short stint at the end of his career with the Royals. Keown appeared five times in the Championship for Reading in 2004/05. Steve Coppel’s side finished 7th in the Championship before romping their way to the title with 106 points the following season.
2. Emi Martinez
Certainly not a player that Reading fans would have forgotten due his significant impact in a short space of time, however a spell that regular football fans may be unfamiliar with given his rise to prominence since.
He joined on a six-month loan from Arsenal in 2018/19 and played 18 games as he helped Jose Gomes’ team to escape relegation from the Championship.
It turned out to be a turning point in his career as he won a place in the Arsenal team before eventually moving to Aston Villa.
He’s won the World Cup and two Copa America’s with Argentina, an FA Cup with Arsenal and a UEFA Europa League with VIlla as he’s gone on to become one of the most famous goalkeepers in world football.
3. Les Ferdinand
He was a prolific goalscorer throughout his long and storied career which saw him represent clubs including Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle United, Tottenham, West Ham and Leicester.
As well as Keown, the former England international spent a short time with Reading in the 2004/05 campaign and made 12 Championship appearances, scoring once.
His only goal in Reading colours came in February 2005 in a 2-1 home defeat to Coventry City at the Madejski Stadium.
4. Nathan Ake
The Dutch defender has gone on to have a spectacular career, most notably with Manchester City where he has won several titles including four Premier League titles and a Champions League.
Before his Premier League success with AFC Bournemouth and then Man City, he spent a short time on loan with Reading from Chelsea in the 2014/15 season.
He played five times for the Royals and put in some eye-catching displays before going on to forge a career littered with trophies and success.
5. Wayne Bridge
He won 36 international caps for England and won the Premier League FA Cup and League Cup with Chelsea, but is less remembered for his one-season stay at Reading.
It turned out to be the last club of his professional career as he appeared 12 times in the 2013/14 Championship season under manager Nigel Adkins.
The Royals narrowly missed out on the play-offs as they finished in 7th position.
