TOM Holmes has admitted Mark Bowen was a key reason behind extending his contract at Reading FC.
Earlier this month, the 22-year-old centre-back put pen to paper on a three-year deal which will see him stay at the club until 2025.
Mark Bowen rejoined the Royals as head of football operations in May this year, after leaving the club in August 2020.
“I really like Mark (Bowen) coming back in, he was a big influence with the decision (to sign),” said Holmes.
“I felt like maybe it was something that was missing since he left that role at the club.
“I feel there is a bit more structure which is settling for players that are coming in and those out of contract when decisions need to be made.
“It is good that he has come back.”
Another factor in the contract extension was his connection to the club and the town.
He added: “I love Reading and this is where I’ve grown up so I’ve got a lot of ties here.
“I’m delighted with the outcome.”
With the new contract under his belt, attention turns to the pre-season schedule which gets underway next Saturday, July 2, behind closed doors at Bearwood Park against Colchester United.
Holmes is hopeful there will be a few more signings through the door before the season gets fully underway.
“At the moment there’s not as many numbers as we hope so maybe training is not quite where it should be but the pre-season games will give us the intensity needed ahead of July 30.
”I’m hoping that in this transfer window we can get bodies in to be competitive this year,” he said.
“Tom Ince and Yids (Andy Yiadom) signed which I was delighted with as they are big characters and were big players for us last year.”
Holmes did admit he was disappointed that some of his former teammates have left the club.
“With Swifty (John Swift) it felt inevitable but I was gutted with Josh (Laurent) going and everyone was gutted as he was a massive character for the team.
“When I came into the team he also signed so he played a big part in my first team experience so it was sad to see him go, but all the best to him and I look forward to playing him.”
