Nineteen-year-old Academy right-back Johnny Mullins has penned his first professional contract with the Royals, and immediately been loaned out to Kidderminster Harriers, who sit bottom of the Football League.
The youngster has signed an 18 month pro deal at the Madejski Stadium but will spend the next six months in the Midlands with the Harriers as they battle to avoid falling out of the league.
Mullins, who has never played for Reading's first team, could be handed his professional debut tomorrow by newly-installed Kidderminster boss Stuart Watkiss.
The 19-year-old previously had a trial with the League Two side and after a flashy display is likely to be able to secure himself a regular place in the Harriers team.
Indeed, Reading FC Director of Football Nicky Hammond insists that Mullins has not gone out on loan just to sit on the subs bench.
"There's no point in him going there just to make up the numbers, Kidderminster have been impressed with what they've seen and he's going there to play," he explained to the official site.
"They've got a lot of games coming up, it's Cheltenham this weekend and he's going there to be involved."
Kidderminster travel to near neighbours Cheltenham tomorrow for a crunch derby fixture.
Mullins, if selected, will have an enormous job on his hands helping the Harriers to victory. The Midlands team have conceded thirty-seven goals so far this season, giving them the worst defensive record in the division.
The versatile young player can play at either right-back, centre-back or in centre-field. However, Harriers boss Watkiss is believed to be keen on playing the Reading man on the right hand side of his defence.