Reading Football Club have confirmed the departure of striker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, who has signed for Danish Superliga side AC Horsens for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old, a product of the Royals' academy, leaves the Select Car Leasing Stadium after a spell in the first team that saw him become one of the club's most-used young forwards.
From academy prospect to first-team regular
Ehibhatiomhan turned professional with Reading in 2021 and went on to make 139 appearances for the club across competitions. In that time he scored 27 goals and registered 7 assists, figures that underline his role in the side despite Reading operating outside the Championship in recent seasons.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| First-team appearances | 139 |
| Goals | 27 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Last season appearances | 47 |
| Last season goals | 10 |
Manager's assessment and local consequences
Manager Leam Richardson paid tribute to Ehibhatiomhan's contribution, describing him as "a really good servant for the club" who had played many games and scored important goals. Richardson also highlighted the forward's status as an academy product the club had helped to develop.
"He has been a really good servant for the club, played a lot of games and scored a lot of goals... He's a great person who has represented himself and the club very well and from myself and the staff, we wish him well and will be watching him from afar."
For Reading supporters the transfer represents the loss of a homegrown attacking option after a season in which the club finished 12th in League One. The move will prompt questions about recruitment and the need to replace goals and minutes lost from a player who routinely featured last season.
- Immediate impact: Reading must find options to cover the minutes and goals Ehibhatiomhan provided.
- Financials: Fee undisclosed; any income could factor into summer transfer plans and squad building.
- Academy message: The pathway from academy to first team remains active but also highlights how developed players can be moved on.
Supporters will be watching pre-season activity closely to see how the club replaces his contribution. Meanwhile Ehibhatiomhan embarks on the next stage of his career abroad; Reading's squad planning over the coming weeks will show how the club responds to losing a young, experienced forward.
