Ireland under-21 midfielder Liam Kelly signs long-term Reading deal

Republic of Ireland under-21 midfielder Liam Kelly has been rewarded for breaking into the Reading first team with a new two-and-a-half year deal.

The 21-year-old made his senior debut for the Royals in a August in a 2-2 EFL Cup draw with MK Dons and has gone on to establish himself in the first team with 11 appearances in all competitions.

The Reading Academy graduate has played his part in the club's strong start to the season, which has seen them sit third in the table under the guidance of captain Paul McShane.

And the club have moved quickly to tie him down to a long-term professional deal as they look to continue their push for a return to the Premier League after an absence of four years.

"Liam has great ability in his passing, his movement, his technique and he has done very well ever since we arrived at the club,” manager Jaap Stam told the club's website.

“Liam has been at Reading from a very young age - a player who has come through the club's Academy to now playing regularly in the first team.

"His success is further testament to what the Academy here has achieved and he deserves this new contract for how he has done so far this season.

“Hopefully he can keep his performances up, continue to improve and we can get ourselves an even better player than he already is in the future."