The Madejski Stadium has officially been renamed.

For the first time since the move to the ground in 1998, the stadium will no longer be named in honour of former Reading FC chairman Sir John Madejski. 

The East Stand will be renamed in honour of Madejski.

The stadium will be branded as the Select Car Leasing Stadium for the next ten years.

Co-founder of Select Car Leasing, Mark Tongue, told the club website: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome Royals fans to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

“This is an incredibly proud moment for us, both as a company and personally as Reading supporters.

READ MORE: AFC Bournemouth enter race for Reading FC and Celtic target

“This began as a pipe dream. When James and I began this business from the back room of a house in Reading, we were following the Royals’ rise to the Premier League and always joked that one day it would be Select Car Leasing’s name being linked with the blue and white hoops.

"Now, the dream is being realised. We are thrilled for Select Car Leasing and its affinity with Reading Football Club and personally, we are absolutely delighted to be able to give something back to the club we have both supported for so long.

“The very foundations of the stadium were built on the success of Sir John Madejski’s AutoTrader enterprise and, as a Reading-based automotive company that now employs almost 300 people in the local community, we feel there is a tangible synergy between this stadium’s magnificent beginnings and its promising future.

READ MORE: LIVE: Reading FC fans react to Madejski Stadium name change

“Sir John went on to make an insurmountable contribution to both Reading Football Club and its community. We have been handed the baton, but Sir John Madejski’s legacy will be protected for future generations.”

Chief Executive Dayong Pang added: "On behalf of the club, I would personally like to welcome Mark, James and the whole Select Car Leasing family to Reading Football Club.

"A successful local firm, employing local people, supporting its local club and giving back to its community, Select Car Leasing are the perfect partner. I look forward to working with them in our 150th anniversary season and beyond as our Principal Partner until 2031.”