The 2015–16 season was Reading's 145th year in existence and third consecutive season in the Championship, and covered the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016. Reading finished the season 17th in the Championship, whilst also reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and the Third Round of the League Cup.
Season review
Pre-season
Following the conclusion of the 2014–15 season, Reading announced that their preseason would include a tour of Thailand and Malaysia, beginning 5 July. Reading then announced, on 26 May 2015, that they would play a pre-season friendly against Bristol Rovers on 21 July 2015, and a day later announced a friendly match against Crawley Town would take place on 27 July. On 29 May 2015, Reading announced they will face Swansea City at Adams Park on 24 July 2015. On 1 June, Michael Hector signed a new three-year contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2018. On 3 June, the club announced six pre-season friendlies for the under-21 squad. On 16 June 2015, the first round draw for the Football League Cup was made, with Reading being drawn away against Colchester United. The next day, 17 June 2015, the fixtures for the forthcoming season were announced.
On 22 June 2015, Reading announced a new sponsorship deal with Thai energy drink company Carabao Dang for their home shirt during the 2015–16 season, and three days later Reading added Dave Beasant, Steven Reid, Jonathan Urwin and Stewart Bannister to the backroom staff. Youngster Tarique Fosu signed a new two-year contract with the club on 26 June. On 29 June, Thai Airways were announced as the club's away shirt sponsors for the 2015–16 season.
On 30 July, Jordan Obita signed a contract extension with the club until 2018.
Transfers
Following the conclusion of the 2014–15 season, Reading announced that they would not be renewing the contracts of Daniel Lincoln, Jonathan Henly, Aleksandar Gogic, Zat Knight, Jure Travner, George McLennan, Danny Guthrie, Ryan Edwards and Yakubu. The announcement also stated that Mikkel Andersen also wouldn't be offered a new deal at the time, whilst Adam Federici, Alex Pearce, Stephen Kelly and Jem Karacan had all been offered new contracts. On 27 May 2015, it was confirmed that Adam Federici had rejected the clubs offer and signed a three-year contract with A.F.C. Bournemouth. 12 days later, on 8 June 2015, Derby County announced that they had signed Alex Pearce on a three-year contract, ending his 14-year stay with Reading. On 25 June 2015, Mikkel Andersen returned to Denmark, signing for FC Midtjylland. On 8 July, Galatasaray confirmed the signing of Jem Karacan on a free transfer, following the expiration of his Reading contract at the end of the previous season. Jure Travner re-signed for NK Celje on 15 July, whilst Danny Guthrie joined Blackburn Rovers on 5 August 2015.
On 29 June 2015, Reading confirmed the signing of Orlando Sá on a three-year deal from Legia Warsaw, with Stephen Quinn signing a three-year deal the following day from Hull City. Paul McShane followed Quinn in signing for Reading from Hull City on the 2 July, penning a three-year deal. Youngster Jake Sheppard signed his first professional contract with Reading on 3 July, keeping him at the club until 2017. Goalkeeper Jonathan Bond joined Reading on 4 July, for a reported £250,000 from Watford, signing a three-year deal. On 14 July, Reading confirmed the Ali Al-Habsi had joined on a two-year contract, whilst youngster Niall Keown had signed a new three-year contract. On 15 July, Lisandro Semedo was signed from Sporting CP, whilst Rowan Liburd joined from Isthmian League side Billericay Town, on a two-year contract, on 22 July. On 29 July 2015, Kuhl joined RCD Mallorca on trial with a view to a season-long loan deal with the Spanish Segunda División side. Sultan Al Harthy from Arsenal Soccer School Oman joined the club on trial at the end of July.
Defender Andrew Taylor joined Reading on a season-long loan from Wigan Athletic on 5 August, with Craig Tanner moving to Plymouth Argyle on loan to Plymouth Argyle on the same day until January 2016. Young keeper joined Chesham United on a Four-Month loan deal two days later, before midfielder Jake Taylor left on a season-long loan to Motherwell, and Hope Akpan joined Blackburn Rovers on a permanent deal on 11 August. The following day Reading announced the signing of Paolo Hurtado on a three-year contract from Paços de Ferreira. On 18 August, midfielder Álex Fernández joined the club on a season-long loan deal from RCD Espanyol.