Former Reading captain Jem Karacan explained that it was a chance meeting with former teammate Jake Cooper that lead to his new role as scout with Millwall.

Karacan played over 170 times for the Royals before enjoying spells with the likes of Bolton, Scunthorpe and the Lions.

Now in non-league with Radcliffe, the 32-year-old has spent recent weeks working part-time with the Bermondsey club in scouting.

Reading Chronicle:

Speaking to the Reading Chronicle, the Turkey youth international explained how it was a chance meeting with his former teammates that helped get a role.

READ MORE: Reading FC favourite retuns to former club Millwall as scout

"I went to see Jake Cooper and a couple of friends at a hotel near where I live in Manchester and I got talking to the Director of Football, who was Head of Recruitment when I signed a few years ago," he explained. "We got chatting and he asked what I was up to, and mentioned doing a bit of scouting.

"I’ve been doing it for six or seven weeks now and it’s been really enjoyable. There’s been a lot of things popping up, but I think this is the thing I enjoy the most, so it’s been fun. With my career winding down, it was a case of what do I see myself doing next?"

Spending a short spell at the Den, the midfielder played six times in 2018/19.

This relationship has helped, according to the 2012 Championship winner.

"There is already that relationship there, so it has been seamless. I’ve been playing football since I was five or six, so along the way you get an eye for it. I was always quite keen on who we were interested in when I was at the club. It’s a whole new world for me."