New Reading signing Tyrese Fornah feels like he's coming home upon his return to Berkshire.

Spotted at a talent match, the 22-year-old spent his teenage years at Hogwood before joining Brighton and Hove Albion in 2016.

Having been with Nottingham Forest since 2018, the East-London born midfielder is "filled with pride and joy" upon arriving on loan for the 2022/23 campaign.

Speaking ahead of a 45-minute cameo in a 0-2 defeat to Benfica on Saturday, he said: "Reading is a club close to my heart. I’ve grown up with the likes of Tom Holmes and Tom McIntyre. When I left, I kept in touch with him and the likes of Danny Loader and the boys that have left. It’s a club that has never left my heart. It feels like a homecoming. I’m really happy to be back and seeing some familiar faces.

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

"My memories are of Tom Holmes playing in centre-midfield. Just being in and around the boys. My group was really close. Coming back here fills me with so much joy, coming back to the club that started my journey. I am good friends with Ovie so he was the first person that knew there was something going on and he said amazing things about the club- which I already knew. I didn’t need convincing.

"When it got more serious, I spoke to Tom, and he was very positive. He’s a Reading boy who loves the club. since I remember Tom at 13, he’s exactly the same now, and I’m thrilled that he’s got his contract sorted and he’s here long term as it’s important to build around the boys that are Reading lads. They know the club, feel the club, and get hurt when we lose more than the other lads."

A former star for Shrewsbury Town and Plymouth Argyle, Fornah is about to make his first real step into first-team Championship action- so what can Royals fans expect?

 

Reading Chronicle:

 

"I’ve not come here to cause anything," he started. "I just want to get my head down, play football and express myself because that’s when I play my best football. I want the fans to pay their money and know that they will get a good game out of me. I like to get the ball down, make my passes and keep the ball. I’m not a safety player, I like to receive the ball, that’s my strength. I want to be the complete midfielder. A lot of people pigeon-hole me as a 6 or 8, I would like to do everything.

"I’m an ambitious player, I want to play at the top level of the game and for my country. I want to play for Forest, that’s me being honest, but who knows what the future holds. I just want to do well for Reading- I’m really driven for this club. Speaking to old coaches I want to give my all to this club, I wear my heart on my sleeve and I want to fight for this team.

"I feel good, I feel like a man, I feel ready- this is what I wanted."