Reading have joined the battle to sign 21-year-old Dylan Kadji as attention turns to next season for The Royals.
Noel Hunt’s side play-off dreams ended with Leyton Orient‘s decisive victory over Huddersfield Town, but were unable to put themselves into a position to overtake The O’s with a loss to Barnsley on the final day.
Kadji On League One Radars
The 21-year-old finally made his senior career breakthrough after joining National League South outfit Weston-Super-Mare on a free transfer last summer. He has made 45 apperances across all competitions, but like Reading missed out on a playoff place on the final day with a loss to Eastbourne Borough.
Originally a product of the Bristol City academy, the midfielder has experience in the EFL with The Robins, Swindon Town and Forest Green Rovers. A positive season, combined with him being out of contract in Somerset, means clubs are now on high alert to sign Kadji.
According to Darren Witcoop, Reading has emerged as a possible destination after finally being freed from Dai Yongge’s ownership after it was confirmed prior to the Barnsley game that former Wycombe Wanderers chief Rob Couhig and his consortium have completed their takeover of the club. A previous report from Football League World had named Rotherham United and the already-relegated Shrewsbury Town as two clubs interested in Kadji.
Writers’ View
Dylan Kadji will be wanting a move back to the EFL after proving he can contribute across a full season of football. Weston-Super-Mare were not expected to be playoff challengers just two seasons after gaining promotion to the National League South and have been in with a chance up until the final day. With League One clubs like Reading and Rotherham set to be raided after missing out on promotion ambitions, now is a good time to invest into their squad for depth before weighing up how to replace any crucial stars they may lose in the coming months.
