Reading favourite Jem Karacan has announced his retirement aged 33.

With 175 first team appearances following his progression through the youth ranks, the Turkey youth international won the 2012 Championship with the Royals as well as featuring twice at Wembley and captaining his boyhood club.

Here are three of 'Jemba' most iconic Royals moments.

1. Morphine celebrations

Having already established himself in the first team under Brendan Rogers and Brian McDermott, Karacan was an ever-present for the title winning side until injury struck.

A series of vile challenges against Neil Warnock's Leeds United took their toll and he was forced to limp off- ending his role and leaving him with a total of 37 appearances for the campaign.

His teammates did the business but Karacan was not present on the evening in which promotion was secured, a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in April.

However, that did not stop him having his say, discharging himself from hospital and heading to the Madejski Stadium, still on morphine and crutches.

Embraced by everyone in the changing room, the combative midfielder made the most of the celebrations, despite being wheelchair- bound.

2. Ryan's Royals

After an injury-struck 2013/14 campaign, Karacan was made captain in 2014/15 and featured in every match of the final few months.

Working with the Avenue School throughout his recovery, he was helping make Ryan Duval's dreams come true.

Aged 14, Ryan had been diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative condition which meant he relied upon the use of an electric wheelchair to go about his daily activities.

A big Reading fan, he chose was to design a new football strip and the club worked with the school to make this a reality.

In April 2015, Karacan and Ryan lead the team out for a 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers wearing his kit.

An initiative which impacted the squad as much as it did Ryan, he sadly passed away in 2019.

3. Final Madejski goal

Departing the club in 2015 after 12 years, he went on to play for Turkish giants Galatasaray before moving around to the likes of Millwall and Bolton Wanderers.

Still playing part-time for non-league outfit Radcliffe, Karacan was one of the first names announced in the 150th anniversary legends match between 2006 Championship winners and their 2012 counterparts.

A fabulous day enjoyed by over 10,000, Karacan had his final moment in the sun, lobbing Marcus Hahnemann and knee-sliding in front of the Sir John Madejski Stand with the biggest grin on his face.

A regular co-commentator on BBC Berkshire when matches are played in the jorth, it is unknown when he wil next return to RG2.