Reading have pipped Sheffield Wednesday to a transfer target, and re-signed former midfielder Andy Rinomhota on a deal until the end of the season.
Reading have moved to add experience and energy to their midfield by confirming the return of Rinomhota, who first came through the academy before establishing himself as a regular at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
He left in 2022 for Cardiff City, spent time on loan at Rotherham United and now comes back to Berkshire as a familiar figure to both supporters and head coach Leam Richardson.
Good chance #ReadingFC will lose Andy Rinomhota to the Africa Cup of Nations
Between 21 Dec 2025 – 18 Jan 2026.Hopefully have Fraser back by then to soften the blow and maintain the squad depth. pic.twitter.com/dPrT930rjv
— RFC Latest (@RFCLatest) November 13, 2025
Richardson Reunion At The Heart Of The Deal
Rinomhota’s recent loan at Rotherham brought him under the guidance of Richardson, a link that has clearly helped shape Reading’s latest piece of business. The Royals boss knows what he is getting in terms of work rate, reliability and tactical discipline, and has already backed the signing publicly.
“I have worked with Andy before and know exactly what he will bring to the squad. He will bring energy, honesty and a real desire to win, he is a great professional who knows this club and what it means to represent Reading. I am delighted to have him back and I am sure the fans will be too.”
With the squad still evolving, Reading see Rinomhota as a plug-in option who can slot into the side quickly, understands the demands of the division and requires no adjustment period to life at the club or in the area.
From Non-League Breakthrough To Royals Player Of The Season
Born in Leeds to a Zimbabwean father and English mother, Rinomhota started out in senior football with AFC Portchester in the Wessex League, where he scored 10 goals in 30 league games. His form prompted former boss Graham Rix to alert Reading, leading to a trial and then an initial 2-year contract in April 2015.
He progressed through the under-18, under-21 and under-23 sides, making 39 youth appearances in all competitions before stepping up.
🇿🇼🏴
Andy Rinomhota is keen on representing Zimbabwe on the international scene.♻️📹 @CardiffCityFC @online_zifa #Zimbabwe #Cardiff #City #CardiffCity #Zimfootball pic.twitter.com/6LQEQ1qKk7
— Zimbabwe Football ⚽️ 🇿🇼 (@zim_football) October 8, 2022
Rinomhota made his professional debut for Reading in August 2017 in a 2-0 EFL Cup win over Gillingham, then earned new contracts in 2017 and 2019 as he cemented his place. He scored his first Royals goal in spectacular fashion at Norwich City in April 2019, finding the net deep into added time in a 2-2 draw at Carrow Road, and was later named Reading’s Player of the Season for 2018-19.
In June 2022, he joined Cardiff City on a 3-year deal, and later spent the second half of the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Rotherham United. He was voted Players’ Player of the Season at Cardiff during 2024-25, even as the Bluebirds were relegated to League One, before his departure on a free transfer in summer 2025.
At international level, Rinomhota eventually opted to represent Zimbabwe, making his debut in November 2023 in a World Cup qualifier against Nigeria. Now, his focus returns to Reading, where he will aim to add steel and running in midfield for the rest of the current campaign and help guide a young squad through a demanding schedule.
