Former Reading midfielder Liam Kelly WILL NOT return to the SCL Stadium in League One this season after sealing a switch to fourth-tier MK Dons.

The 28-year-old from Basingstoke rose through the youth ranks and made over 90 appearances between 2016 and 2019 before following Jaap Stam to Dutch giants Feyenoord.

After spells with Oxford United and Rochdale, the diminutive midfielder enjoyed a stand-out campaign with Crawley Town last year.

Scoring six goals and grabbing another 12 assists, the former Republic of Ireland youth international took the Red Devils into League One with two Man of the Match performances during the play-offs.

However, Kelly is the latest exit in a mass exodus from Broadfield Stadium, including seven of those who appeared at Wembley in the play-off final.

This means he will not get his emotional return to Berkshire, the first since leaving the club in 2019, due to returning to the division below.

Kelly told the MK Dons website: "It's been in the works for a while. When I first heard about it, I've been excited to try and get it done!"

"The project that's building under the gaffer here is clear to see from the outside even when playing against MK Dons last season. It's a project that I was looking forward to getting on board with when I first heard about it so I'm delighted to get it done."