Retained and released list: Reading make contract decisions on three Nigerians including Paul Mukairu

Through a statement on their official website, Reading have announced their retained and released list following the conclusion of the 2023-2024 season. 

Allnigeriasoccer.com exclusively reported two days ago that Nigerian winger Paul Mukairu has played his last game for Reading as the Royals have opted not to sign him on a permanent deal. 

Reading confirmed as much on Wednesday morning, stating that Mukairu has returned to his parent club FC Copenhagen. 

Dom Ballard, Tom Holmes and Zane Monlouis are the other loanees who have returned to their parent clubs following the conclusion of their loan spells at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Mukairu joined Reading last summer in search of regular first team football and has left the club after logging 1,839 minutes spread across 38 games in all competitions. 

The 24-year-old has a contract with FC Copenhagen until December 31, 2025.

Reading have also informed that the club have activated one-year options to Femi Azeez and Kelvin Ehibatiomhan's contract, meaning they will be signed on with the Royals for a further season.

Femi, elder brother of Arsenal's Hale End Academy product Miguel Azeez, has been on the books of Reading since September 2019, joining them following a successful trial. 

The tri-national winger was a key player for Reading, having started 43 out of the 46 games they played in the third tier of English football, registering seventeen goal involvements (8 goals, 9 assists). 

Benin City-born striker Ehibatiomhan notched 12 goals in 48 games in the 2023-2024 campaign. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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