New Contract For Cooper

Another highly rated youngster has been tied down at Reading FC this afternoon as Jake Cooper signs a contract extension which keeps him at the club until 2018.

The 20 year old made his Royals first team debut as a substitute against Ipswich in August 2014, and went on to make 19 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring twice - both goals coming against eventual play-off winners Norwich City.

This season, due to injury, Cooper's only start has come in the Capital One Cup against Everton, and he looked impressive against the likes of Arouna Kone and Romelu Lukaku.

One of many players to have come through the highly-rated academy, the defender was part of the youth teams that in 2013-14 reached the Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup semi-finals and won the Under-21s’ Premier League Cup.

Here's what Steve Clarke had to say:

"Jake Cooper is yet another product of the Reading Academy system and I’m very pleased that he has committed his future to the club.

"He has already shown that he has the ability to play in the first team here and is one of four very good central defenders that we have at the club. With the sale of Michael Hector to Chelsea, it was very important to secure Jake on a longer contract as I’m sure he will be a valued player for this club now and in the future."

Nigel Howe added:

"Jake is another fine example of a talented young player who has come through our Academy system to admirably represent our first team. He is an excellent role model which all the young Academy players at this club should to look to emulate."

Cooper's tweet also showed his pleasure at signing a new contract.

Delighted to have signed a new contract with @ReadingFC

— Jake Cooper (@jake__cooper) October 8, 2015

Are you pleased by the news Royals fans? Does Jake Cooper have a big future ahead of him? Let us know below.