The Transfer Lowdown: Kadeem Harris

As the new season looms over Reading there is still uncertainty over what we can do in the transfer market. However, in the 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace Reading took Kadeem Harris on trial following his recent release from Sheffield Wednesday.

The past week has been a confusing one for Reading. Alan Nixon reported on Twitter that Reading have been able to sign players for a while but only on a maximum wage of £8,500 a week, while on the other hand, Veljko Paunovic came out after the Crystal Palace game and said that there was no progress regarding the embargo which leaves a lot to still be questioned.

If we are able to sign players but only on that wage cap, Harris could fit the bill perfectly. According to salarysport Harris was said to have earned £10,000 a week at Sheffield Wednesday, something that Reading would have to reduce but only by a small amount if he were to join the club.

Who is Kadeem Harris?

Harris is a 28-year-old winger from London. He started out his playing career with Wycombe Wanderers, making his debut when he was 16 back in December 2009, something which put Harris in Wycombe’s history books, becoming the youngest-ever player to appear for the club. This was a record that Harris held until 2011.

Harris went onto make 26 appearances for Wycombe in all competitions before departing back in January 2012 for Championship side Cardiff City on a three-and-a-half-year deal. Harris was not involved much with the squad but got his Cardiff debut against Macclesfield in the FA Cup where he played 64 minutes before being substituted.

After getting small amounts of playing time at Cardiff, Harris went onto to have a loan spell at Brentford until January 2014. Harris grabbed his first senior goal after coming on in a 3-1 win against Colchester United; he then went on to grab another in a 5-0 victory over Staines Town. But Harris’ loan spell was cut prematurely following a hamstring injury. He left Brentford with 11 appearances at two goals.

Harris seemed to finally get his chance at Cardiff under Russell Slade, making his league debut in a 5-3 loss to Bournemouth and scoring his first goal for the club against Colchester United in the FA Cup, and then got his first league goal for Cardiff City. He went on to join Barnsley on loan the following season until November, making 14 appearances in his time at the club.

Then upon his return to Cardiff, Harris had his breakthrough season during the 2016/17 campaign, scoring four and assisting four in a campaign in which he made 38 appearances. He scored his first Premier League goal in a 4-2 victory over Fulham.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Harris was then released by Cardiff following the 2018/19 season. He would go onto join Sheffield Wednesday and make 88 appearances for the club, scoring three goals including one against Reading on his debut.

What to expect from Harris?

Kadeem Harris seems to be a similar proposition to former trialist Kyle Edwards, but Harris is the more experienced individual with over 216 games in football and 138 in the Championship.

Harris, like Edwards, is an out-and-out winger and enjoys carrying the ball while beating his man. He also seems to like hugging the touchline and keeping the width - something that we may have lacked last season. But, again like Edwards, his finishing and end product seem to be poor and without Yakou Meite and Michael Olise, it is a lot to rely on Lucas Joao to be our goalscoring threat.

But again, similarly to Edwards his raw pace could be crucial, especially towards the end of games against a tiring defence. His ability to win free kicks was demonstrated against Crystal Palace with him winning the set piece that resulted in John Swift’s goal.

The signing of Harris may not come without competition, with Middlesbrough reportedly interested. Neil Warnock, who was a fan of Harris from his time with him at Cardiff, is reportedly keen on taking the winger to the Riverside. This undoubtedly would make the signing a lot tougher considering the link him and Warnock have.

Considering his some experience and our perilous position, Harris would be someone definitely worth taking a punt on, with him adding some needed squad depth and being an outlet out wide we desperately need.