Josh Sims & Dave Edwards Part Ways With Reading FC

Reading FC confirmed the seventh and eighth departures at the January transfer window’s first week on Monday with Dave Edwards and Josh Sims leaving the club.

After Pelle Clement’s move to PEC Zwolle, Axel Andresson’s Viking move, and loan exits for Darren Sidoel, Luke Soutwood, Adi Popa and Ben House, the Royals have allowed Welsh midfielder Edwards to return to former side Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer - six months ahead of his Madejski Stadium contract expiring.

Meanwhile young winger Sims has returned to Southampton after making just five starts in his loan spell from the Premier League outfit, failing to score and contributing two assists.

Few fans will argue with Edwards’ departure. Signed from Wolves as a box-to-box midfielder following Danny William’s exit, his strong Championship scoring record and wealth of experience appeared to make him a decent signing however he couldn’t fit in with any of his manager’s styles and came unstuck further by his declining physicality and fitness.

As for Sims, the jury will forever remain out. Occasionally promising when coming off the bench, the argument will always be that the 21-year-old didn’t get a fair shot in the starting line-up. And yet, there is a good argument for focusing on those with permanent contracts - including our own young players. Indeed, as Jose Gomes looked to trim the squad, Sims was always among the low hanging fruit.