Reading FC Report £3.8m Loss Despite Player Sales Boost and Wage Cuts

Reading FC have reported a £3.8m loss for the 2024–25 League One season, according to their latest financial accounts.

The club’s initial losses exceeded £13m but were significantly reduced by £9.5m in player sales, a sharp increase from £3.9m the previous year.

Key departures included Sam Smith to Wrexham, Femi Azeez to Millwall and Tyler Bindon to Sheffield United. The club also benefited from a sell-on clause involving former player Michael Olise following his high-profile transfer from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich.

Overall revenue fell slightly by 2% to £9.8m, while the wage bill was reduced by 22% to £12.4m.

Despite those reductions, staff costs still accounted for 127% of total revenue, highlighting ongoing financial pressure. The average first-team player salary was reported at £5,900 per week.

Reading were also operating under a transfer embargo during the season, meaning they were unable to spend on new signings.

Borrowings during the year totalled £11.4m, taking the club’s overall debt to £130.6m.