New Deal For Jem

Young midfielder Jem Karacan has signed a new three year contract with the Royals.

Karacan, a product of the Reading academy, only made his debut in the cup win at home to Luton but he has played in every league game since.

The 19-year-old central midfielder enjoyed loan spells at Bournemouth and Millwall last season and has already made an impact in the Reading first team. He’s been a key part of the team that have enjoyed convincing wins over the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Swansea and most impressively Wolves.

The Turkey u21 international expressed his delight in signing a new deal.

He said: ‘It’s great to sign this new deal with Reading.

‘I’m really happy with the progress I’ve made so far this season and I’m delighted to be in the team.

‘Now it’s up to me to get my head down, keep working hard and hopefully prove to the manager that I am capable of doing a good enough job to keep my place

‘There are a few of us emerging from the Academy set-up here, to now make a real impression on the first team – and that can only be good for those boys coming through and for Reading Football Club.’

Reading’s Director of Football Nick Hammond said, ‘Jem thoroughly deserves this new contract and we are delighted that he has signed.

‘He is now a fully established member of our first team squad, having played with great authority in the process of starting our last seven consecutive league games.

‘He sets a great example of what can be achieved by young players coming through our Academy and seizing their opportunity, and we hope that a number of others will follow in his footsteps.’

With Royals vice-captain James Harper now fully fit, Karacan will be even more keen to keep up his impressive displays and continue to keep the former Arsenal man out of the side.

Karacan is currently on international duty with Turkey under 21s as they get ready for their play-off games against Belarus.