READING have announced their new club captain for the forthcoming season and it will be Jem Karacan.

Manager Nigel Adkins confirmed the appointment after the Royals 1-1 draw in a pre-season friendly at Yeovil Town on Saturday.

A delighted Adkins said: “He has come through the system and has demonstrated he has the ability to be a leader.

The boss added: “I don't want one person to have all of the responsibility. We've got a young set of players. I want to share the burden and I want to develop more leaders within the group.

Karacan has played over 150 games for the Royals and is popular choice.

He is currently out injured, but is working hard to get back into the line-up.

Karacan tweeted, "Honoured to be announced new Reading FC captain! Looking forward to the new season & can't wait to get back playing playing!

"Thanks for all the messages and support it's much appreciated see you at the mad stad soon!"

In Saturday’s entertaining friendly at Huish Park, Pavel Pogrebnyak gave the visitors a deserved lead four minutes after half-time as headed home Ryan Edwards’ cross from close range.

Sean Morrison came close to doubling the advantage, but his header hit the crossbar and Hal Robson-Kanu also went close.

Yeovil levelled things on 72 minutes, as one of the triallist scored against a Reading team, which apart from Adam Federici and Robson-Kanu, was made up of under-21s.

The Royals are next in action on Saturday when they are away at Wycombe Wanderers (kick-off 3pm).