Andy Rinomhota Is Your Rookie Of The Year 2018/19

Congratulations to Andy Rinomhota, who you have chosen as Reading’s Rookie of the Year for 2018/19. The midfielder, who made his first league start against Bristol City in November before going on to be a crucial part of the Royals side, picked up 83.2% of your votes to claim a landslide victory over Danny Loader (16.8%).

This is hardly surprising considering what a huge impact Rinomhota has had on the team, adding energy, confidence and composure to the midfield despite only turning 22 in April. His breakthrough year was capped by being named as the club’s official Player of the Season at the end of the campaign, while he is also shortlisted in our award too, which there is still time to vote for.

It’s fair to say that our Rookie of the Year has been somewhat of a poisoned chalice in the past - 2017/18’s winner Omar Richards was limited to 10 league appearances last season largely due to injuries. Meanwhile, Liam Kelly (2016/17) was one of a number of players who failed to rediscover their form after losing the play-off final, Aaron Tshibola (2015/16) was sold to Aston Villa after winning the award but has barely been heard of since and Jake Cooper (2014/15) failed to fully kick on in a Reading shirt.

Here’s hoping Rinomhota breaks that trend and continues his encouraging development into next season...