Young Reading FC forward Jayden Wareham has rejected a new contract and will leave the club.
The 22-year-old striker had the opporutnity to extend his stay in Berkshire, but the club said he has ‘opted to take on a new challenge at the beginning of July’.
A statement from Reading, where they also confirmed the departure of Amadou Mbengue, said: “Reading Football Club can confirm the departure of Jayden Wareham, who departs ahead of the expiration of his contract later this month.
“As with Amadou, Jayden was offered new terms earlier this summer, but has opted to take on a new challenge. We wish him the very best with his next move.”
Born in Ascot, Wareham was part of Reading Academy from 2011-2014 before he joined Queens Park Rangers for five years and then Woking.
After one season with Woking’s first-team, Wareham was signed by Chelsea in 2021 after a successful trial with the Premier League side.
Following his release from Chelsea in 2023, Reading signed Wareham on a one-year deal and made his debut for the Royals in an exceptional 9-0 away win at Exeter in the EFL Trophy.
Despite not featuring much for the first-team, Reading saw his potential given his impressive performances for the under 21s and extended his deal by another year.
Wareham netted his first goal for the first-team in an EFL Trophy game against West Ham United U21s.
He then scored his first League One goal in an away success at Exeter in October 2024.
He went on to score five times in 37 league games last campaign and became a much more regular fixture in the starting eleven after Sam Smith departed the club to join Wrexham in January.
Wareham has been linked with League One club Exeter City and could sign for them on a free transfer.
