Departing Reading goalkeeper James Holden issued an message of thanks to the club after it was revealed that he has joined Cambridge United.

20-year-old Holden arrived in RG2 in 2019 as Bury were expelled from the Football League.

Failing to register a first team appearance, he made six PL2 appearances and eight for Maidenhead United in the National League.

Despite not making an appearance, he was selected for the squad in January for defeats to Luton Town and Huddersfield Town.

On a message released on Twitter, Holden said: "Would like to say a massive thank you to Reading Academy for everything they have done for me over the last three years. After Bury it was a big decision but I never regretted it. Its been a pleasure."

Arriving in Cambridgeshire this summer, he will link up with fellow former Royal Academy star Sam Smith, who became the first Academy graduate to net 20 times this season since Shane Long in 2011.

Speaking to the club media, he sadi: "It was quite an easy decision for me.

“I just want to push them (the other goalkeepers) as much as possible, get them to push me, develop as much as I can and see what opportunities come about.”