20-year-old striker Andrija Novakovich, last season’s top scorer in our Under-23s side, has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal at Madejski Stadium – and has simultaneously agreed to spend 2017-18 on loan with Dutch side Telstar.

The USA youth international scored 16 goals in 30(+3) appearances for the Under-23s last season – bagging against the likes of Southampton, Everton and Arsenal in the Premier League 2.



His tally also included five goals in a Premier League Cup campaign that took us all the way to the Final as well as two further finishes in the Checkatrade Trophy - and the forward has today signed a contract which will keep him on Reading’s books until the summer of 2019.



The next chapter in his career will be spent at Eerste Divisie outfit SC Telstar as he begins a season-long loan with the Ijmuiden-based side.

Delighted to extend my contract with Reading FC and simultaneously sign a loan move to SC Telstar in Holland. Very thankful for the opportunity and the challenges ahead! #Royals #WitteLeeuwen 🙏🏼 A post shared by Andrija Novakovich (@anovakovich15) on Jul 2, 2017 at 7:52am PDT



Telstar, the White Lions, finished 16th in the Dutch second tier last season and Novakovich will now look to translate his U23 goalscoring exploits of last season into first team form out in Holland.



Wisconsin-born Novakovich is another promising product of our Category One Academy who made his Royals first team debut in March 2015 at the age of 18.



He added to his two first team substitute appearances with a short loan spell at Cheltenham Town in the National League the following season before impressing for our Under-23s in 2016-17.



His progress, along with a number of others who will begin loan spells away from RG2 this season, will be closely monitored by Academy Loan Manager Mikele Leigertwood throughout the course of the campaign.



Everyone at Reading Football Club would like to congratulate Andrija on his new deal and wish him the best of luck for his season out in Holland.