Reading have bolstered their Under 23s squad by signing two players and extending deals with three others.

Noel Hunt's side could be heavily relied upon by the first team this season, with just 13 first teams stars under the books at time of writing.

19-year-old Michael Craig, a Scotland youth international, joined the side on a trial basis at the back end of last season and played a key role as the Young Royals won the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup.

Left-back John Clarke also joins the Under-23s from League One Port Vale.

In terms of players remaining in Berkshire, defensive duo Michael Stickland and Louie Holzman, both 18 and having already made their first team bows, put pen to paper on their first professional contracts at the culmination of their scholarships.

Alongside Rochdale's Young Player of the Year Jeriel Dorsett, midfielder Kian Leavy had a clause triggered in his contract, ensuring the pair will also be on the Royals books in 2022-23.