The Ascot-born star was a season ticket holder at Madejski Stadium as a young boy and joined the Academy aged eight.

Now the 22-year-old prospect looks set to play a major role in Nigel Adkins’ team in the Championship next season after signing a contract for another two years, with the option of a third.

Local boy Taylor told the Chronicle: “My dad and I had season tickets so we used to watch Reading all the time.

“I can remember as far back as the Alan Pardew days and it’s fair to say Reading have come a long way since then.

“It’s just surreal to be playing for the club I used to watch and support.

“I’ve signed for at least another couple of years now and I want to be playing first team football in that period.

“I will look after myself this summer and come back strong for pre-season. I will

hopefully have a chance.”

Taylor made a handful of first-team appearances last season and impressed in the final few games, setting up a crucial goal for Pavel Pogrebnyak in a vital win at Doncaster Rovers.

He added: “It was great to be involved with the first-team towards the end of the season. It was a big time for the club and from a personal point of view I didn’t want the season to end.

“I was playing more games and doing well. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be in terms of promotion but I believe we will come back strong for the start of next season.”

Reading’s decision to hand new deals to Taylor and another promising youngster, Michael Hector, signals their intention to promote from within their own Academy.

It comes at a time when Royals have made cut-backs after failing to win promotion back to the Premier League and Anton Zingarevich’s botched takeover bid, leaving chairman Sir John Madejski to search for someone to buy the club.

Taylor, though, insists there is no takeover talk in the Royals dressing room.

“As players, there’s nothing we can do about it,” he stressed. “I’m sure it will be resolved eventually so all we can do is concentrate on playing football and let everything else look after itself.

“We’ve got some great players in our squad. Some have Premier League experience and others have been around the top division.

“There’s also a good rapport in the squad, we all stick together. We proved that last year when things weren’t going great for us and it’s so important to have that bond.”

Meanwhile, Taylor also admits that by playing more games next season he hopes to impress the Wales scouts.

The versatile midfielder has 10 caps for the Under 21s but is yet to win a

call-up to Chris Coleman’s senior squad.

“I’m too old for the Under 21s now so I’m looking at the senior squad,” he confessed. “I haven’t heard anything yet but hopefully that will change if I play more games next season.

“I don’t get too fazed by things, I suppose I’m a bit laid back like that. I am just excited to be playing for the club I grew up supporting.

“Every time I pull on the Reading shirt it is a privilege and a special feeling to represent your hometown club.”