FOUR of the brightest Reading FC Academy prospects have been rewarded with their first professional contracts.

Tyler Frost, Ramarni Medford-Smith, Teddy Howe and Jordan Holsgrove have penned their first senior deals after rising through the youth ranks.

They are currently taking part in their scholarships and have made the step up from David Dodds' Under 18s to regularly feature in Martin Kuhl's Under 23 side which competes in Premier League 2.

Medford-Smith, Howe and Frost also featured for the Under 23s in this season's Checkatrade Trophy campaign.

Royals Academy manager Lee Herron says the big challenge now facing the talented quartet is to kick on to the next level.

“We’re delighted to get the commitment of these young players to sign as professionals from the Academy,” he said.

“There is still lots of work to do as always – when you get that pro deal, it’s about moving onwards and upwards.

“It is a really good achievement for each of them to be rewarded with a professional contract, and hopefully they can progress like many others have done to have an impact on our first team and beyond.”

Royals will be hoping the four youngster can follow in the footsteps of a string of former Academy players who have gone on to play for the first team.

The most recent example is Liam Kelly who, despite being loaned to Bath City a year ago, is now a regular in Jaap Stam's team.

Kelly is the 41st player to graduate through the club's youth system and he was recently rewarded with a new contract until 2019.

Herron added: “It is inspirational for them to try and emulate some of the players that have gone before them.

“They have that next opportunity now. They all have different attributes and different skill-sets for what’s required of their positions, but they are all bright, hungry and humble young men with lots of desire.”

Sadly, a youthful Under 23s side lost 3-1 to Sheffield United at Adams Park yesterday.

Royals fell 3-0 behind in the first half after Jake Wright converted an early penalty, Stephen Mallon adding a second and Wright netting again before the break.

Frost did pull one back for Reading during an improved second-half display, but the Blades held on for the win in the Premier League Cup clash.

Royals still require one more point to quality for the last 16 of the competition.

On a positive note, Deniss Rakels continued his comeback from a broken ankle with another hour of competitive football.

There was better news for Dodds' side who smashed Swansea City 7-0 away from home to guarantee a top-four finish in U18 Premier League South this season.

Royals went 2-0 up in the opening three minutes thanks to goals from triallist winger, Michael Fernandes, and Joel Rollinson.

The hosts dug in but the turning point came on the hour when Swansea's Thomas Price saw a penalty saved by Liam Driscoll before Royals broke down the other and added a third through Ben House.

The floodgates opened from there as Fernandes struck twice more within seven minutes to seal his hat-trick, while Rollinson and House also scored again.

The U18s will now face the best four teams from the northern section in Group 1, with matches started next month.

Reading U23s: Ward, Vancooten, Dickie (c), Osho (Odimayo 77), Richards, Rinomhota, Holsgrove, Frost, Smith, Novakovich, Rakels (Medford-Smith 63). Subs not used: Southwood, Green, Rollinson.

Reading U18s: Driscoll, Wilson, Medford-Smith (Green 70), Odimayo, Philby, Holmes, Coleman (Buchanan 79), Rollinson, Fernandes, Wallace (Denton 79), House. Subs not used: Sparta, Nolan.