League One newcomers Reading are set to win the race and confirm the signing of former Cambridge United striker Sam Smith, according to Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider.
The 25-year-old forward, who was previously with the Royals between 2017 and 2021, is currently a free agent following his release by the U’s at the end of the 22/23 season in which the club narrowly avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth.
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Who is Sam Smith?
Starting his career whilst at Reading, Smith would sign his first professional deal with the club during the summer of 2017, with the forward going on to score his first goal for the Royals against Millwall in an EFL Cup tie in late August 2017.
Loan spells followed at the likes of Bishop’s Stortford, Oxford United and Shrewsbury Town, before spending a temporary period at Cambridge United for the 19/20 season, in which he scored eight goals in 34 appearances for the U’s.
Smith would be loaned out again to clubs like Tranmere Rovers and Cheltenham Town, before eventually signing on a permanent deal for Cambridge United in the summer of 2021 following the expiration of his contract at Reading.
In two seasons at the Abbey whilst in League One, Smith was a huge threat in front of goal as he would go on to bag 35 goals in 109 appearances for the club, including a stellar 21/22 campaign in which he would score 21 goals in all competitions for the U’s.
Two Clubs, One League
With the expected arrival of Smith to Reading, both the Royals and Cambridge United certainly had a campaign full of struggles in the 22/23 season.
Reading were relegated from the Championship alongside Wigan Athletic and Blackpool last season with the club finishing 22nd, finishing five points away from 21st-placed Cardiff City in a turbulent season in which they were also docked six points for a rule breach.
Cambridge United also had a season which won’t go down in memory as they narrowly avoided the drop on the final day of the season. A 2-0 victory over already relegated Forest Green Rovers with results going in their favour meant the U’s will be playing League One football for a third straight season after finishing 20th in the table, beating the drop by one point.
Writer’s View
With the news that striker Sam Smith is set for a return to Reading, I think this will be an excellent pickup from the Royals, joining Cambridge teammate Harvey Knibbs in making a move to Rubén Sellés’ side. I think it’s very much a smart acquisition if they were to get it over the line.
Smith will make a return to the club following two excellent years at the Abbey in which he went on to become a proven League One goalscorer – something that a club like Reading needs if they are to mount up a serious promotion challenge in the upcoming season.
