YOUNG READING FC star Luca Fletcher has left the club to join Manchester City after rejecting a new deal with the Royals.
The 16-year-old prodigy who is tipped for stardom will fetch the club a fee of more than £600,000 as well as future add ons, including a sell on clause.
Fletcher joined the club at the age of 11 and came up through the age groups to impress last season as part of our Under-16s set-up.
Luca also made an impact on the international scene, scoring goals for England’s Under-16s and his promise caught the attention of a number of Premier League clubs last season.
Fletcher was offered a two-year scholarship at Reading next season and the promise of a professional deal when he turns 17 in April 2024.
However, following a large amount of interest from top-flight clubs, he decided to join the treble winners.
“Within our Academy are a totally devoted team who rightly take immense pride in developing young footballers, both as people and as players,” explained Academy Manager Michael Gilkes.
“The role of our Academy has always been to provide a return on the investment. We hope that return comes in the form of young players featuring for our first team – scoring goals, making tackles, keeping clean sheets with the Reading crest on their chest.
“However, that return can also be represented by the might of Manchester City offering a significant sum for the services of a 16-year-old we have helped develop into a fine young footballer.
“We will proudly follow Luca’s continued path into professional football and we would all like to wish him and his family the very best for the future.”
