The ‘Ryan’s Royals’ project will culminate with Reading wearing a special one-off strip for the Championship game against Blackburn on Saturday, April 11 - designed by Ryan Duval, 14, as part of a project at The Avenue School, Tilehurst.

The match-worn shirts will then be auctioned after the game with all proceeds going to Ryan’s school.

The 14-year-old suffers with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative condition that means he must go about his daily life with the use of an electric wheelchair.

Karacan was so impressed after meeting Ryan that he came up with the idea of Reading wearing the shirt for a Championship game and followed it through to make it a possibe.

And the Reading skipper believes making this unprecedented community project a reality brings home what a special club Reading are.

“Everyone’s a bit surprised that we’ve managed to do it,” explained Karacan. “I’ve never seen nor heard anything similar before, it’s been brilliant from the club, “Puma have been fantastic helping out and making the dream come true. It’s an amazing project and something I’m proud to be heading.

“It was an ambitious question to ask and we thought there would be no chance, but the Football League were taken aback by how good a project it was.

“It’s nice to show what Reading are really about, doing whatever we can for the fans and putting a smile on everyone’s faces.

“Ryan’s teachers say that whenever Reading are mentioned his face lights up so the fact that we can do this is unbelievable and I can’t wait to see his face when we play Blackburn.” Ryan will be mascot on the day and will fulfil his dream by meeting his heroes before the game.

Karacan says the players are sure to make it a day to remember for the star of the show, giving him the day that he deserves as a passionate Reading fan.

“Ryan is an amazing lad and it’s a lovely thing we can do for him,” Karacan told the Chronicle. “He comes from a family of massive Reading fans.

“For him to be mascot on the day and see his idols wearing the kit he designed will be the best day ever for him. We’ll get him in the changing room before, meet all the lads. It’s going to be his day, he’ll be treated like a special guest as he deserves to be.” He continued: “It’ll create a feel good factor around the club.

“Tickets are cheaper which is a great incentive to get as many supporters as possible down to celebrate the wonderful project on the best day of his life.

“It’s something that we’re really looking forward and hopefully we can get the result to make it a really good day all round.”