Former Reading youngster James Henry has joined non-league rivals Aldershot Town after ending his seven-year stay with Oxford United over the summer.
35-year-old Henry, born and raised in the town, rose through the ranks as a Royal and managed 18 first-team appearances before embarking on a 15-year EFL career playing for the likes of Millwall and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Moving to Oxford United in 2017, Henry became a club legend and racked up over 250 appearances, departing over the summer after the U’s earned promotion to the Championship for the first time in 25 years.
Leaving one of Reading’s historic rivals for another, Henry has signed for the Shots on a one-year deal, featuring throughout their pre-season campaign.
Reading have never played the current incarnation of Aldershot Town but were big rivals in the 20th century before Aldershot FC ceased to exist in 1992.
Shots boss Tommy Widdrington told the club website: “He’s trained with the group over the past few weeks and shown not only excellent football awareness and ability but an assured and measured approach to whatever we have thrown at him.”
“His record most recently at Oxford Utd is a measure of how he looks after himself and his experience will be an attribute I feel we need at the club.”
“This addition strengthens our attacking options and I feel it shows our intention of improving on last season’s efforts and I’m sure The Shots family will all join me in welcoming James to The EBB!”
Former Reading midfielder Dejan Tetek, who played 21 times for the Royals first team, has signed a new deal at the EBB Stadium after impressing in an injury-hit campaign last year.