Andy Yiadom targets more playing time after Reading contract extension

Photo: Reading FC (@ReadingFC)/X

Former Ghana national team defender Andy Yiadom has shared more on his future goals after extending his stay at English club Reading FC ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The 33-year-old, who grappled with injuries last season, signed a one-year contract extension with the English League One outfit. Yiadom has collected an impressive number of games since joining Reading from Barnsley in 2018 – clocking over 200 appearances.

The versatile defender missed several games last season due to injury but has now fully recovered and will join his teammates for pre-season this week. Yiadom made only 14 appearances from Reading's 46 games in the English third tier during the 2024-25 campaign.

He said: "I wasn't playing a lot last season. Obviously I did not play as much so I was helping the young boys, the ones that were playing, the ones that weren't playing and the ones that were new to playing week-in-week-out. Even though I will like to play a lot than last season, it is still a role that I am willing and happy to play," he said.

His manager Noel Hunt expressed delight as the defender extended his stay at the club.

"Yids' impact both on and off the pitch is second to none, and we are delighted to have him signed up for another season," he said.

"Last year was tough for him, but he came back strongly in the second half of the season and is back for pre-season looking fresh and ready for the fight."

Yiadom earned 24 caps for Ghana after making his debut at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Black Stars lost 1-0 to Egypt in a Group D game. He last featured for the Black Stars in the buildup to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, playing in both of Ghana's games at the 2022 Kirin Cup hosted by Japan.