ZAK Jules has rejected a new contract with Reading FC and looks set to sign for Shrewsbury Town.

The 20-year-old defender has been on the fringes of Royals' first-team and has been offered a new deal by the club.

But the London-born youngster is believed to be on the verge of joining League One Shrewsbury in a bid to secure regular games.

Jules becomes the second Royals Academy graduate to leave the club this week after rejecting a new contract following Tariqe Fosu's switch to Charlton Athletic.

Reading Chronicle:

Zak Jules in action for Motherwell on loan.

Jules was yet to make his first-team debut for the Royals, though he was highly regarded by the club's coaching staff.

The Scotland U21 international had spent time in non-league while on loan with Hemel Hempstead Town and then Braintree Town.

He also played 10 games on loan for Mortherwell in the Scottish Premiership last season, scoring once in a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock.

But is seems Jules has opted to kickstart his career elsewhere after deciding his chances would be limited under Royals boss Jaap Stam.