Reading fans are still reeling from the long-awaited return of iconic striker Shane Long after 11 years away.
Despite being 35, supporters can’t get enough of the Republic of Ireland international, although expectations are set at varying degrees.
We look at six stars who signed for the club in what was thought to be their twilight years but left a lasting impact in RG2.
Brynjar Gunnarsson
Despite being only 30 when joining, still only a nipper in comparison to others on the list, nobody would have expected the impact made by the Icelander.
Arriving from Watford in 2005, he popped up with some key strikes as the club marched to the Championship title in his debut season.
Despite never truly nailing down a first team place, his experience and cool head saw out many a game during the glory years of promotion and the Premier League.
READ MORE: 10 for 10 years: Brynjar Gunnarsson
33 upon relegation, many thought it was to be the end of Gunnarsson, but he came back strong and remained a vital cog of the team for the rest of the decade, including the moment he turned into ‘Bryniesta’ against Liverpool for a shock FA Cup win.
Becoming the only player to be involved in both Championship winning sides in 2012, he was released in 2013 aged 37.
After seven years and more than 160 appearances, Gunnarsson departed with cult status.
On this day in 2011… 🗓
— The Second Tier (@secondtierpod) March 8, 2022
Ian Harte scored a peach of a free kick from 30 yards from Reading 🍑@ianharte23 #ReadingFC
pic.twitter.com/6xr0ep6dHB
Ian Harte
Already with more than 300 career appearances under his belt on arrival in 2011, full-back Harte had a lot to prove when signed from League Two Carlisle United.
Famously playing more than 200 times for Leeds United in their successful period in the 1990s and 2000s, Harte was the top scoring defender in England when Brian McDermott paid £100,000 for him after selling Gylfi Sigurdsson.
33 upon arrival, the Republic of Ireland international would score 15 goals in 99 appearances for the club, a mainstay in the team which reached the play-off final in 2011 and won the Championship in 2012.
Renowned for his set-piece ability, his strikes against the likes of Doncaster Rovers and Middlesbrough will live long in the memory.
Jason Roberts
Signed in January 2012, nobody has made a better introduction to Royals fans than 34-year-old Jason Roberts.
Winning his first eight matches, and scoring four times and gaining five assists, the former Blackburn Rovers forward helped power McDermott’s men over the line and storm to the Championship title in the second half of the 2011/12 campaign.
READ MORE: Reading FC legend on iconic manager and spell in Berkshire
Unfortunately, he was ravaged by injury in the two years following, netting once in the 2012/13 campaign during the 7-5 defeat to Arsenal in the League Cup, before retiring in March 2014 after more than a year out with a hip injury.
Still adored in Berkshire, the Grenada international returned for May’s legend’s match, finding the back of the net twice to everyone’s joy.
.@SkyBetChamp Man of the Match, Ali Al Habsi
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 16, 2017
6 saves v Fulham@ReadingFC's Player of the Year#EFL pic.twitter.com/dCMDaSEUuq
Ali Al-Habsi
34 upon arrival in Berkshire, best known for his five-year association with Wigan Athletic, the Oman shot stopper took some time to settle between the sticks.
However, once he did, there was no beating him.
Spending two years with the Royals, he was a behemoth as Jaap Stam’s side finished third in the Championship and narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League- what was to be his final year in RG2.
He helped the side to an FA Cup quarter final in his debut season, playing 91 times in total and was voted as the Player of the Season by supporters IN BOTH of his years with the club.
On this day in 2017… 🗓
— The Second Tier (@secondtierpod) April 1, 2022
Yann Kermorgant scored the winner for Reading against Leeds ☄️#ReadingFC
pic.twitter.com/7iSWTTyDyS
Yann Kermorgant
French striker Kermorgant was the same age as Long is now, 35, upon joining the club in January 2016.
Hitting the net three times in his opening half season with the club, he hit the ground running in his first full season- breaking his personal scoring tally and almost firing the club to promotion.
18 Championship goals in 2016/17 bettered his previous best of 15 when winning promotion with Bournemouth two seasons before.
It was also his most productive season for minutes, appearing 48 times- more than he had in any previous campaign, at the age of 36.
Originally stating he would retire at the end of the year, he changed his mind and opted to stay after the heartache of the previous season.
He went on to score twice as Paul Clement’s side battled relegation and the club agreed to mutually cancel the final year of his deal.
For someone who joined nearer 40 than 30, he was a man possessed in his 92 appearances, hitting 24 goals.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here