This sponsored article was brought to you by We Are Bettors (https://wearebettors.com/)

READING narrowly escaped relegation in 2017-18 when the club finished the season just three points above the relegation zone in 20th place. The team managed just ten wins and recorded a –22 goal difference. Reading did improve under the guidance of manager Paul Clement after his appointment on March 23. Clement was able to secure eight points to drag the team into Championship safety.

Clement has had an off season to bring in his own players. Seven players have been brought into the Madejski Stadium for this new term. Hopes are high the new players will help Reading fight for a top six place and according to a specialized website, Excelsior, they might even reach the podium.

John O’Shea, defender

Reading Chronicle:

John O’Shea arrived on a free transfer from Sunderland. The veteran defender was released by the Black Cats following their relegation from the Championship. At 37, O’Shea brings a wealth of experience to Reading’s defense. Reading conceded 70 goals last term, and O’Shea will be counted on to keep the team from equaling that figure again.

Darren Sidoel, defender

Reading Chronicle:

Reading signed Darren Sidoel from Ajax on a three-year contract. The 20-year-old defender never made the breakthrough to the Ajax first team but did feature for the Jong Ajax side in the Eerste Divisie. Sidoel has played at the Netherlands youth international level. He could even have been part of this list of undervalued players to play next season.

Andy Yiadom, defender

Reading Chronicle:

Former Barnsley defender Andy Yiadom was the first player to arrive this summer, after some rumours sending him to Parma. The 26-year-old has spent much of his prime playing in League One and is a proven defender at the lower level. A Ghana international, Yiadom spent two seasons with Barnsley appearing in 64 games. Prior to joining Barnsley, the full-back appeared in 169 matches for Barnet and scored 10 goals.

David Meyler, midfielder

Reading Chronicle:

David Meyler joined Reading on a free transfer after leaving Hull City at the end of the 2017-18 season. The 29-year-old has a wealth of experience at both the Championship and Premier League levels. Meyler played 157 games for Hull and scored 13 goals for the Tigers. His addition should give Reading stability in the center of the park.

Marc McNulty, striker

Reading Chronicle:

Reading paid £1.22 million to sign Marc McNulty from Coventry City. McNulty is a proven goal scorer at the League Two level and he also helped fire Coventry into League One by winning the League Two playoffs last term. The striker scored 23 goals for Coventry in 2017-18 and finished second in the golden boot race.

Sam Baldock, striker

Reading Chronicle:

Striker Sam Baldock takes a step down from the Premier League to join Reading this term. Baldock appeared in five games last term for Brighton, but prior to the Seagulls’ promotion to the top-flight, the striker was a regular for the club. Baldock has goals in him as he tallied 11 in 31 Championship matches during Brighton’s Championship promotion campaign.

Sam Walker, goalkeeper

Reading Chronicle:

The former Chelsea youth academy player joined Reading following 200 appearances for Colchester United. Walker gained a wealth of experience for Colchester in both League One and League Two and the 26-year-old kept 12 clean sheets in 44 League Two matches last term.